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Hymns

Precious Lord, Take My Hand Thomas A. Dorsey and George N. Allen, 1938

The words are under copyright, CCLI song number 27044. This page has where to read and license them, the story, videos and the Scripture behind it.

The story behind Precious Lord, Take My Hand

Thomas A. Dorsey wrote Precious Lord, Take My Hand in Chicago in 1932. His wife, Nettie Harper, died on August 26, 1932, after childbirth, and their infant son died soon after. Dorsey was in St. Louis as a featured soloist when a telegram brought the news. The Hymnology Archive says he and Theodore Frye then worked at the piano in the music room at Poro College in Chicago, and the words came to him there. Dorsey had been a blues and jazz player before his conversion in 1928, and he directed the choir at Pilgrim Baptist Church.

He adapted the tune MAITLAND, a melody he remembered from Sunday school. Sources disagree about its origin. The Hymnology Archive says it appeared in 1855 as CROSS AND CROWN, labeled a Western Melody. George N. Allen claimed in 1873 that he wrote it around 1850. Some sources cite an 1844 Allen hymnbook, and the Hymnology Archive says that book had no music.

The song was copyrighted in 1938 and published as sheet music by Dorsey's own company. Its first denominational hymnal appearance was the Church Hymnal of the Church of God in 1951. Mahalia Jackson made one of the earliest notable recordings in 1956, with Dorsey at the piano. Martin Luther King Jr. called it his favorite song and asked for it at a Memphis rally the night before he was killed. UM Discipleship links its imagery to Matthew 8:23 to 27, Psalm 23:4 and the Good Shepherd in John.

Videos 6 Scripture 3 Questions 4

Precious Lord, Take My Hand videos

  • Precious Lord Take My Hand - HBBC Chancel Choir and Orchestra Hayes Barton Baptist Church Music Ministry, Choir

  • Precious Lord (Dorsey/Arr. Sevier) | Atlanta Master Chorale Atlanta Master Chorale, Choir

  • Take My Hand, Precious Lord - acapella hymn with lyrics John Rogers acapella Gospel Hymns, A cappella

  • Precious Lord, Take My Hand - piano instrumental hymn with lyrics Kaleb Brasee, Piano

  • Joey+Rory - Take My Hand, Precious Lord (Live) Gaither Music TV, Modern arrangement

  • Congregation Hymn Sing: "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" UMH 474 (lyrics) Piano Borodino United Methodist Church, Congregation

Videos play from YouTube, and nothing loads from YouTube until you press play. A video may sing different verses from the ones printed on this page.

Scripture in Precious Lord, Take My Hand

  • Matthew 8:23-27
  • Psalm 23:4
  • John 10:11

Questions people ask

Who wrote Precious Lord, Take My Hand?

Thomas Dorsey wrote the words in 1932 and adapted the tune from MAITLAND. George Allen is credited with the older melody.

What is the story behind Take My Hand, Precious Lord?

Dorsey wrote it after his wife, Nettie Harper, and their infant son died in August 1932. He was away in St. Louis when a telegram told him of her death.

Who sang Precious Lord at the funeral of Martin Luther King Jr.?

Mahalia Jackson sang it at his funeral in April 1968. King had called it his favorite song.

Is Precious Lord, Take My Hand in the public domain?

No. It was copyrighted in 1938 and the rights now sit with Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp, assigned from Unichappell Music. A church needs a CCLI license, song number 27044, to project or print the words.