*(1956) Columbia CS 8761 ''Take My Hand, Precious Lord'' (47085-7 Master) Mahalia Jackson

''Take My Hand, Precious Lord'' (47085-7 Master) (Thomas A. Dorsey) (Sony Music Entertainment) (4:12) Recorded Tuesday March 27, 1956 at Columbia Recording Studios, 207 East 30th Street, New York, NY Name (Or. No. of Instruments) Mahalia Jackson - Vocals The Falls-Jones Ensemble consisting of Mildred Falls - Piano Ralph Jones - Organ Milton Hinton - Upright Bass Gus Johnson - Drums Unknown - Backup Vocals "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. 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. It was Martin Luther King Jr.'s favorite song, and he often invited gospel singer Mahalia Jackson o 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 of President Lyndon B. Johnson in January 1973, and Aretha Franklin sang it at Mahalia Jackson'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". Many notable musicians have recorded "Take My Hand, Precious Lord". It 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). In 1957, Elvis Presley recorded the song in January 1957 at Radio Recorders in Hollywood, California for his \\Elvis' Christmas Album'' (RCA Victor). "Take My Hand, Precious Lord", thisThomas A. Dorsey composition, second only to "Amazing Grace" as the most popular song in gospel music, was his expression of despair after the death of his wife and newborn child in 1932. Popular since its introduction that year, the song has been translated into over 50 languages, and is so popular that African-American congregations can sing it without a score. lt has been recorded by more gospel singers than any other song. Often cited for its close similarity to the 19th century hymn, "Must Jesus Bear The Cross Alone'', "Precious Lord'', nonetheless, bears the Dorsey stamp. Always able to take the language of the poor and downtrodden and turn them into memorable lyrics with appropriate tunes, Dorsey has done the same in this composition. Consider such lines as: "Through the storm, through the night, Lead me on to the light'', and "At the river, here I stand, guide my feet, hold my hand." and one immediately recognizes Dorsey. It is not easy to miss the verve with which Mahalia delivers the last mentioned couplet, for not only does she take her time and savor every syllable and note, she offers some of her most serene singing in the prayer. One of the favorite songs of Martin Luther King, Jr., "Precious Lord" was sung at his funeral. Liner notes by Dr. Horace Clarence Boyer (July 28, 1935 - July 21, 2009) was one of the foremost scholars in African-American gospel music. Source and more information see: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - Digitally Remastered © - Condor Records - ©