"Take My Hand, Precious Lord" (a.k.a. "Precious Lord, Take My Hand") is a gospel song. The lyrics were written by Thomas A. Dorsey, who also adapted the melody.

Origin

The melody is credited to Dorsey, drawn extensively from the 1844 hymn tune, "Maitland". "Maitland" is often attributed to American composer George N. Allen (1812–1877), but the earliest known source (Plymouth Collection, 1855) shows that Allen was the author/adapter of the text "Must Jesus bear the cross alone," not the composer of the tune, and the tune itself was printed without attribution for many years. "Maitland" is also sometimes attributed to ''The Oberlin Social and Sabbath School Hymn Book'', which Allen edited, but this collection does not contain music. This tune originally appeared in hymnals and tune books as "Cross and Crown"; the name "Maitland" appears as early as 1868. Dorsey said that he had heard Blind Connie Williams sing his version of this song with "Precious Lord" and used it as inspiration. Dorsey wrote "Precious Lord" in response to his inconsolable bereavement at the deaths of both his wife, Nettie Harper, in childbirth, and their infant son, in August 1932. (Mr. Dorsey can be seen telling this story in the 1982 gospel music documentary '' Say Amen, Somebody''.) The earliest known recording was made on February 16, 1937, by the "Heavenly Gospel Singers" ( Bluebird B6846). "Take My Hand, Precious Lord" was first published in 1938. "Take My Hand, Precious Lord" is published in more than 40 languages.

Performances

It was Martin Luther King Jr.'s favorite song, and he often invited gospel singer

Mahalia Jackson Mahalia Jackson ( ; born Mahala Jackson; October 26, 1911 – January 27, 1972) was an American gospel music, gospel singer, widely considered one of the most influential vocalists of the 20th century. With a career spanning 40 years, Jackson was ...

to sing it at civil rights rallies to inspire crowds; at his request she sang it at his funeral in April 1968. King's last words before his assassination was a request for musician Ben Branch to play it at a service he was due to attend that night. King's exact last words were "Ben, make sure you play 'Take My Hand, Precious Lord' in the meeting tonight. Play it real pretty." Opera singer Leontyne Price sang it at the

state funeral A state funeral is a public funeral ceremony, observing the strict rules of protocol, held to honour people of national significance. State funerals usually include much pomp and ceremony as well as religious overtones and distinctive elements o ...

of President Lyndon B. Johnson in January 1973, and

Aretha Franklin Aretha Louise Franklin ( ; March 25, 1942 – August 16, 2018) was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. Honored as the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Queen of Soul", she was twice named by ''Rolling Stone'' magazine as the Roll ...

sang it at

's funeral in 1972. Franklin also recorded a live version of the song for her album '' Amazing Grace'' (1972) as a medley with " You've Got a Friend". It was sung by Nina Simone at the Westbury Music Fair on April 7, 1968, three days after King's assassination. That evening was dedicated to him and recorded on the album '' 'Nuff Said!''. It was also performed by Ledisi in the movie and soundtrack for '' Selma'' in which Ledisi portrays Mahalia Jackson. It was also performed by

Beyoncé Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter ( ; born September 4, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. With a career spanning over three decades, she has established herself as one of the most Cultural impact of Beyoncé, ...

at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards on February 8, 2015.

Dave Grohl David Eric Grohl (; born January 14, 1969) is an American musician. He founded the rock band Foo Fighters, of which he is the lead singer, guitarist, principal songwriter, and only consistent member. From 1990 to 1994, he was the drummer of th ...

recited the lyrics of the song at a remembrance service for his friend, Lemmy from Motörhead, in January 2016.

Recordings

Many notable musicians have recorded "Take My Hand, Precious Lord". It was recorded by

on Tuesday March 27, 1956, on the album ''Bless This House'' (

Columbia Records Columbia Records is an American reco ...

CL 899) with The Fall-Jones Ensemble: Mildred Falls (piano), Ralph Jones (organ). *1938: Selah Jubilee Singers (Decca 7598) *1939: The Soul Stirrers (Down Beat 103) *1941: Sister Rosetta Tharpe (Decca 8610) *1954: The Blind Boys Of Alabama on ''Oh Lord, Stand By Me'' (Speciality) *1954: Little Jimmy Dickens on ''Old Country Church'' (Columbia) *1956:

on ''Bless This House'' (Columbia) *1956:

on '' Songs of Faith'' *1957:

Elvis Presley Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American singer and actor. Referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as Cultural impact of Elvis Presley, one of the most significant cultural figures of the ...

on '' Elvis' Christmas Album'' (RCA Victor) *1961: Blind Connie Williams *1962: Jim Reeves on '' We Thank Thee'' (RCA Victor) *1963: Ralph Carmichael on ''Hymns at Sunset'' (Capitol, re-released in 1972 on Light Records) *1982: Al Green on ''Precious Lord'' ( Grammy winner) *1984: Denny Correll on ''Golden Hymns'' (DC Records) *2014: Ledisi from '' Selma'' *2017:

Dee Dee Bridgewater Dee Dee Bridgewater (née Denise Garrett, May 27, 1950) is an American jazz singer and actress. She is a three-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, as well as a Tony Award-winning stage actress. For 23 years, she was the host of National ...

on '' Memphis... Yes, I'm Ready'' *2019: Kimbra on ''Offering'', 2019 charity album *2023: Kristin Hayter on '' Saved!''

Accolades

"Take My Hand, Precious Lord" was inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame in 2007. It was also included in the list of '' Songs of the Century'', by the

Recording Industry Association of America The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is a trade organization that represents the music recording industry in the United States. Its members consist of record labels and distributors that the RIAA says "create, manufacture, and/o ...

and the

National Endowment for the Arts The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is an independent agency of the United States federal government that offers support and funding for projects exhibiting artistic excellence. It was created in 1965 as an independent agency of the feder ...

. In 2012,

's recording of "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" was honored with the Grammy Hall of Fame Award.

References

External links

Mahalia Jackson 1961 television performance

Aretha Franklin 1984 performance
{{Authority control 1937 songs 1937 singles Songs written by Thomas A. Dorsey Nina Simone songs Aretha Franklin songs Gospel songs Mahalia Jackson songs Ike & Tina Turner songs American Christian hymns Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Elvis Presley songs