Take My Hand Precious Lord-Clara Ward

Gospel classics are songs that are special, they've been around for a long time. We all know them word for word, love them; they have a special meaning in our lives, and they will never be forgotten.

This gospel classic Take My Hand, Precious Lord a.k.a. Precious Lord, Take My Hand was penned by Thomas A. Dorsey after the deaath of his wife and child in the 30's; which also become a gospel standard. The music is Dorsey's arrangement of a melody by George Nelson, professor of sacred music and geology at Oberlin college, and a prime mover in the establishment of the Oberlin conservatory of music in 1865. Thomas Andrew Dorsey (July 1, 1899 -- January 23, 1993) was known as "the father of black gospel music" and was at one time so closely associated with the field that songs written in the new style were sometimes known as "dorseys." Earlier in his life he was a leading blues pianist known as Georgia Tom. Dorsey, was born in Villa Rica, Georgia, was the music director at Pilgrim Baptist Church in Chicago from 1932 until the late 1970s. Unhappy with the treatment he received at the hands of established publishers, Dorsey opened the first black gospel music publishing company, Dorsey House of Music. He also founded his own gospel choir and was a founder and first president of the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses. Over the years Take My Hand Precious Lord, has been recorded by various secular artist including Elvis Presley, Nina Simone, B. B. King, Jimmy Durante, and various gospel artist, and choirs. This hymn is a standard of great gospel songs sung in churches across the United States, and worldwide.

Clara Ward was born in Philadelphia on August 21, 1924. In the 1930's she started singing and accompanying her mother Gertrude, and sister Willa, in a family group called the Ward Trio. The Ward Trio began singing in Philadelphia churches and gained a local reputation as the leaders of the new music. Clara made her first solo recording in 1940 and continued accompanying the Ward Gospel Trio. In 1943 at the National Baptist Convention they made their debut, and were a sensational hit. Then when they started to travel in 1947 a few more singers were added and they became known as the Ward Singers, and started recording. In 1949 they had their first hit Surely God Is Able, that song made them the most famous female group of the 1950's. Clara Ward is widely acclaimed as one of the greatest soloists in gospel history. Her experience has been vast, indeed. Few performers have played in the supper clubs of Las Vegas, the choir lofts of churches, the concert stages of world-famous halls, tiny jazz clubs, and Disneyland. From a l965 album titled "Down By The Riverside," Take My Hand Precious Lord. Clara stepped beyond the sunset in 1973, leaving behind a great legacy.

Disclaimer: Photographs and music copyright are owned by their originators. No infringement intended.