Take My Hand, Precious Lord” (aka “Precious Lord, Take My Hand“) is a gospel song. The lyrics were written by Rev. Thomas A. Dorsey (1899–1993), and the melody by George Nelson Allen (1812–1877). It was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s favorite song, and he often invited gospel singer Mahalia Jackson to sing it at civil rights rallies to inspire the crowds. Ms Jackson sang it at his funeral. On April 4, 1968 Dr.King’s last words ever spoken were to his musical director, Ben Branch. Mr. Branch was on the ground floor so Dr. King actually had leaned over the balcony at the Lorraine Motel, moments before he was shot and killed, telling Mr. Branch to play it at a rally he was supposed to attend that night and he to make it sound sweet like it was the angels themselves playing it.
The Legendary Soul Man sings ‘Precious Lord, Take My Hand.’ Watch it here.