"Precious Lord" is a sacred song not taken from the traditional hymnals of my youth, but which I've loved to sing through the years, either by myself, with loved ones or with Christian friends. It remains amongst the collection of best-loved sacred song.
Words: Thomas A. Dorsey, 1932. Dorsey wrote this song in Chicago, Illinois, after his wife Nettie died while giving birth to a child (who also died shortly thereafter). Dorsey sang the song for his friend, Gospel singer Theodore Frye, and Frye’s choir sang it the next Sunday at the Ebenezer Baptist Church.
Music: Adapted by Thomas Dorsey from the tune Maitland, by George N. Allen (1812-1877).
Precious Lord, take my hand,
Lead me on, let me stand,
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn;
Through the storm, through the night,
Lead me on to the light:
Lead me on, let me stand,
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn;
Through the storm, through the night,
Lead me on to the light:
Refrain
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:
Refrain
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:
Refrain
Video Credit:
Take my Hand Precious Lord, sung by Elvis Presley, YouTube, uploaded by 4mannix4. Accessed Oct 31, 2012.
(This post was originally published 16 November 2006, updated today, including a video from YouTube.)
My Father Henry A. Flood was a Gospel Quartet singer. He used to sing this song.
ReplyDeleteI woke up the other night with " Precious Lord, Take My Hand" swimming around in my head, and for the life of Me, I couldn't remember all of the words.
Henry, died in 1990. I didn't know where to find the words until now!!! So thank you for posting them on this Website.
Now , I hope I can find the music, so I can adapt it to the sheet so I can play it on the Dulcimerin the Key of D, and the Psaltry.
Thanks again.
Beatrice Flood Dunham
Ms Dunham, I have pics and audio recordings of Henry Flood from his years at Sunnyvale Baptist Church in Dallas. Please reach out to me through this history website I have created: http://sunnyvalebc-dallas.blogspot.com/
DeleteDear Beatrice,
ReplyDeleteI'm happy that you found the words of "Precious Lord, Take my Hand" once again. It's an all-time favourite of many people, including me. It goes along with other lovely hymns such as "How Great Thou Art," "Great is Thy Faithfulness," "It is Well with my Soul," and many more.
Tel