Precious Lord Take My Hand

Over these past couple of weeks as I've watched my mom move closer to the end of her earthly life, I've been thinking more about heaven and what a blessed promise that is for us as believers. I've also been a bit nostalgic, so this beautiful old song from my childhood has blessed me. And like so many great songs of comfort, it was born out of tragedy:

"Thomas A. Dorsey grew up in Georgia as a 'preacher's kid.' As he began to be successful as a composer of jazz and blues songs, however, he drifted away from God." Dorsey came back to the Lord and began to write gospel songs and to sing in church services. During a revival meeting in St. Louis, Missouri, he received a telegram telling him that his wife had died in childbirth, along with his newborn son. "Stunned and grief-stricken, Dorsey cried, 'God, you aren't worth a dime to me right now!'

"A few weeks later, however, as Dorsey fingered the keyboard of a piano, he created the lines of 'Precious Lord' to fit a tune that was familiar to him. The following Sunday the choir of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in South Chicago Illinois, sang the new song with Dorsey playing the accompaniment."

Source:
Amazing Grace: 365 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions by Kenneth W. Osbeck, Kregel, 2002

Many people have recorded this song. It was apparently the favorite song of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and was sung at his funeral. I love this sweet rendition from one of the Gaither videos. The harmonica adds such a sweet touch. And I love the expression on the older gentleman's (Howard Goodman) face - the Lord has indeed led him home since this was recorded.

PRECIOUS LORD, TAKE MY HAND
Precious Lord, take my hand,
Lead me on,
Let me stand;
I'm tired, I am weak, I am worn:
Through the storm, through the night,
Lead me on to the light,
Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.

When my way grows drear, precious Lord, linger near,
When my life is almost gone:
Hear my cry,
Hear my call,
Hold my hand lest I fall,
Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.

When the darkness appears and the night draws near,
And the day is past and gone;
At the river I stand,
Guide my feet,
Hold my hand,
Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.

Precious Lord, take my hand,
Lead me on,
Let me stand;
I'm tired, I am weak, I am worn:
Through the storm, through the night,
Lead me on to the light,
Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.

WORDS: Thomas A. Dorsey (1932)
MUSIC: George N. Allen (1844)

REMINDER: Click here for a chance to win a CD of a Grammy & Dove nominated Christian singer!

And be sure to visit Amy's for more songs for your Saturday!