Very inspiring stories for those who think they are having a bad day.
Story Behind the Song
Thomas A. Dorsey’s “Precious Lord, Take My Hand.”
By Victor Parachin
Thomas Dorsey’s “Precious Lord” has been called “the greatest gospel song of all time.” People around the world know it, sing it, and love it because of its profound message of hope and faith. Written in 1932, it continues to appeal deeply to new generations of listeners. Though composed by a young African American blues pianist, the song crosses the lines of race and culture. Everyone from gospel legend Mahalia Jackson to rock ‘n’ roll king Elvis Presley has recorded it.
Like so many great hymns of faith, the song was inspired by a horrific tragedy in the life of its composer. Thomas Andrew Dorsey was born in rural Georgia in 1899, the son of an itinerant preacher.
By age 12, Dorsey left school to become a professional pianist. He played at house parties throughout Atlanta’s black districts.
In his early 20s, Dorsey settled in Chicago. There he played, sang, and published blues compositions under the name “Georgia Tom.” Music critic Stephen Calt described Dorsey saying he “ranked as the most self-conscious, serious, and accomplished blues lyricist of his time.”
In 1925 Dorsey married Nettie Harper. A year later, (read on)
Is It Well With Your Soul?
Horatio G. Spafford wrote the words to the song, “It Is Well With My Soul” in 1873. The words in many great works were written out of a broken heart. Horatio Spafford was an extremely successful businessman. His family life was doing as well as his business life. Then the first of several misfortunes struck him and his wife, Anna.
In 1871, they lost their baby boy. This was the beginning of several tragedies. In 1873, the Chicago fire totally wiped out all of his real estate and business holdings.
After spending time trying to regroup from this terrible tragedy, Spafford decided to purchase six tickets for his four young daughters, his wife, and himself…(read on)
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