Lord, I Want to Be a Christian is an

African American African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American" generally denotes descendants of ens ...

spiritual. It was likely composed in 1750s

Virginia Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States, between the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains. The geography and climate of the Commonwealth ar ...

by enslaved African-American persons exposed to the teaching of evangelist Samuel Davies. The music and lyrics were first printed in the 1907 ''Folk Songs of the American Negro'', edited by Frederick J. Work. The song has been recorded by artists including

Yolanda Adams Yolanda Yvette Adams (born August 27, 1961) is an American gospel singer, actress, and host of her own nationally syndicated morning gospel show. She is one of the best-selling gospel artists of all time, having sold over 10 million albums ...

, Chanticleer,

Kirk Whalum Kirk is a Scottish and former Northern English word meaning "church". It is often used specifically of the Church of Scotland. Many place names and personal names are also derived from it. Basic meaning and etymology As a common noun, ''kirk' ...

, Hank Jones, Little Richard,

Cassietta George Cassietta George (January 23, 1929 – January 3, 1995) was an American gospel vocalist, and composer for many of the songs sung by The Caravans. George was a member of Queen of Gospel Albertina Walker's The Caravans, the most popular touring go ...

, John Fahey, the

Mormon Tabernacle Choir The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, formerly known as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, is an American choir, acting as part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). It has performed in the Salt Lake Tabernacle for ov ...

Barbara Hendricks Barbara Hendricks (born November 20, 1948) is an American operatic soprano and concert singer. Hendricks has lived in Europe since 1977, and in Switzerland in Basel since 1985. She is a citizen of Sweden following her marriage to a Swedish c ...

, James Cleveland and Blind Lemon Jefferson.

Lyrics

Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart, in my heart, Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart, in my heart. In my heart, in my heart, Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart, in my heart. Lord, I want to be more loving in my heart, in my heart, Lord, I want to be more loving in my heart, in my heart. In my heart, in my heart, Lord, I want to be more loving in my heart, in my heart. Lord, I want to be more holy in my heart, in my heart, Lord, I want to be more holy in my heart, in my heart. In my heart, in my heart, Lord, I want to be more holy in my heart, in my heart. Lord, I want to be like Jesus in my heart, in my heart, Lord, I want to be like Jesus in my heart, in my heart. In my heart, in my heart, Lord, I want to be like Jesus in my heart, in my heart.

References

External links

Video of choir singing "Lord, I Want to Be a Christian"
{{Authority control Gospel songs African-American spiritual songs

Lyrics

See also

References

External links