May 26, 2026 - Good Morning! It’s Tuesday, May 26.
Last Sunday afternoon, I had the honor of playing piano for the memorial service of a longtime football coach in Carthage, Texas. There are a few songs that are frequently featured at funerals, songs like “In the Garden,” “Victory in Jesus,” and “Amazing Grace.” But there’s another gospel hymn that I always like to include. This is the story behind that song.
Thomas Dorsey was born in 1899 in rural Georgia. Like many southern African Americans of that era, he migrated to the north, settling in Chicago. There Dorsey, a talented musician, rubbed shoulders with such legendary performers as Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey and Louis Armstrong. He forged a successful career as a blues artist. But then, in 1930, he found the Lord, and was led by God to become a gospel singer.
One night, in 1932, Dorsey was leading the music at a revival crusade, away from home, away from his wife, who was due to have their first child. After the service ended, he received a fateful telephone call. His wife, Nessie, had died in childbirth, and their infant son had lived for only a few minutes. Grief stricken and inconsolable, Dorsey drove through the night back to Chicago. In those dark, lonely hours, the Spirit of God began to comfort his broken heart, giving him a simple lyric and a simple melody.
Twenty years later, the Blackwood Brothers Quartet would have moderate success with a recording of Thomas Dorsey’s song. A young truck driver, driving through the night, heard the song on the radio. Five years later, that young man recorded that same song. His rendition was a huge success, and introduced the little gospel hymn to the world. The young man’s name was Elvis Presley. The song was “Precious Lord, Take My Hand.”
Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on, help me stand
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn
Through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light
Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home
Mark 9:27 - “And Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up.”
Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
