Tragic Story Behind 'Take My Hand, Precious Lord'

Thomas A.Dorsey was excited in 1932 to receive an recognized part playing Christian Music. He went on tour with his wife’s blessing near her baby’s due date. It was in St. Louis, that Dorsey received word that there had been complications with Nettie’s childbirth. He raced back to Chicago, but both mother and child died. He was in deep depression, but was later asked to a dinner and afterward started humming the first line of a new song at a piano. Soon in church his lyrics filled a single sanctuary :

 

“Precious Lord, take my hand / Lead me on, let me stand / I am tired, I am weak / I am worn.

At the river I stand guide my feet hold my hand Take my hand precious Lord lead me home”

 

Dorsey was shocked to find congregants out of their seats and in the aisles, crying out in prayer. His song of deliverance from unbearable pain touched the heart of a congregation of Black Americans with testimonies of their own—of illness, death, and poverty. God had brought others healing, new faith in God through his pain.