Chris Barber - Precious Lord
2. September 2013
Chris Barber - Posaune, gesang
Mike Henry - Trompete
Bert Brandsma - Klarinette
Joe Farler - Banjo
Jackie Flavelle - Kontrabaß
Gregor Beck - Schlagzeug
"Take My Hand, Precious Lord" (aka "Precious Lord, Take My Hand") is a gospel song. The lyrics were written by Rev. Thomas A. Dorsey (1899--1993), and the melody by George Nelson Allen (1812--1877).
The melody is credited to Dorsey, drawn from an 1844 hymn entitled "Maitland" by American composer George N. Allen (1812--1877).[1] Dorsey said that he used it as inspiration.[2] The "Maitland" music was for the text "Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone," and first appeared in The Oberlin Social and Sabbath School Hymn Book.[3] Dorsey wrote "Precious Lord" in response to his inconsolable bereavement at the death of his wife, Nettie Harper, in childbirth, and his infant son in August 1932.[4] (Mr. Dorsey can be seen telling this story in the 1981 gospel music documentary Say Amen, Somebody.) The earliest known recording was made on February 16, 1937, by the Heavenly Gospel Singers (Bluebird B6846).[5] "Take My Hand, Precious Lord" is published in more than 40 languages.
It was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s favorite song, and he often invited gospel singer Mahalia Jackson to sing it at civil rights rallies to inspire the crowds; at his request she sang it at his funeral in April 1968. King's last words were, just before being shot, to play it at a mass he was attending the night of his assassination. Opera singer Leontyne Price sang it at the state funeral of President Lyndon Baines Johnson in January 1973,[7] and Aretha Franklin sang it at Mahalia Jackson's funeral in 1972. Aretha 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 the murder of Dr. Martin Luther King. That evening was dedicated to him and recorded on the album 'Nuff Said!
A number of quality musicians have recorded the classic song. The song was recorded by Mahalia Jackson on Tuesday March 27, 1956, on the album Bless This House (Columbia Records CL 899) with The Fall-Jones Ensemble: Mildred Falls (piano), Ralph Jones (organ).[8] Jim Reeves' version of the song may be one of the best known of all. It was released as the 'B' side of his hit single "This World is Not My Home" in 1965.
1938: Emory Johnson (Decca 7546)
1938: Selah Jubilee Singers (Decca 7598)
1941: Rosetta Tharpe (Decca 8610)
1954: The Blind Boys Of Alabama Oh Lord, Stand By Me (Speciality)
1954: Little Jimmy Dickens Old Country Church (Columbia)
1956: Mahalia Jackson Bless This House (Columbia)
1956: Aretha Franklin from Songs of Faith
1957: Elvis Presley from Elvis' Christmas Album (RCA Victor)
1957: Jimmy Dean Hour of Prayer (Columbia)
1957: Clara Ward Somebody Greater Than You & I (DOT)
1958: Roy Acuff Favorite Hymns (MGM)
1959: The Oak Ridge Quartet (self-titled album)
1960: Tennessee Ernie Ford What a Friend We Have (Capitol)
1960: B. B. King Sings Spirituals
1962: Chet Atkins Plays Back Home Hymns (RCA Victor)
1962: Jim Reeves We Thank Thee (RCA Victor)
1964: Little Richard Coming Home (recorded in 1959)
1967: Jimmy Durante Songs for Sunday
1968: Nina Simone 'Nuff Said! (RCA)
1969: Andrae Crouch & The Disciples Take the Message Everywhere (Light)
1974: Ike and Tina Turner The Gospel According to Ike and Tina
1978: Lawrence Welk Hallelujah
1982: Al Green Precious Lord (Grammy winner)
1982: B.J. Thomas Peace in the Valley (Word)
1993: Lonnie Donegan More Than "Pye in the Sky" (recorded 1954--57)
1994: Vickie Winans (self-titled album)
1996: Mavis Staples Spirituals & Gospel (Verve)
1998: Gladys Knight Many Different Roads (MCA)
1998: Pat Boone
2001: Merle Haggard Cabin in the Hills
2003: Engelbert Humperdinck Always Hear the Harmony: The Gospel Sessions
2005: Randy Travis Glory Train
2005: Faith Hill Hurricane Relief: Come Together Now