“Precious Lord, Take My Hand”

[Nelson Bradford]

I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand. ~ Isaiah 41:13

Thomas Dorsey grew up in Georgia as a preacher's kid. As he began to be successful as a composer of jazz and blues songs, he drifted away from God and his upbringing. However, he had several brushes with death, came to his senses and repented. As his life dramatically changed, he turned his songwriting talents to gospel songs and singing in church. By this time he had a young family and lived in Chicago.

In 1932 he was singing in a revival in St. Louis, Missouri, when he received a telegram telling about the tragic deaths of his wife and infant son. Grief-stricken, he told God, "You aren't worth a dime to me right now!"

A few weeks later, still grieving deeply, as he played a familiar tune on the piano, the words of this song came to him. The next Sunday, his choir at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in south Chicago sang this new song with Thomas playing the accompaniment. Today we don't have any trouble understanding why these words, "tore up the church!" when they sang . . .

Precious Lord, take my hand,
Lead me on, help me stand.
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn.
Thro’ 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.

- Thomas A. Dorsey, 1938

Copied from Sing to the Lord © 1993 by Lillenas Publishing Company

Hymn commentary courtesy J. D. Sherrow

[Susan Unger]

Like the lavender colored mums.

Here is a clip of the song. I'm thinking of Marsha Lynn as I listen to it