"Precious Lord Take My Hand" by Thomas A. Dorsey, 1932.
1. Precious Lord, take my hand,
Lead me on, let me stand,
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn;
Through the storm, through the night,
Lead me on to the light:
Refrain:
Take my hand, precious Lord,
Lead me home.
2. When my way grows drear,
Precious Lord, linger near,
When my life is almost gone,
Hear my cry, hear my call,
Hold my hand lest I fall:
Refrain:
Take my hand, precious Lord,
Lead me home.
3. When the darkness appears
And the night draws near,
And the day is past and gone,
At the river I stand,
Guide my feet, hold my hand:
Refrain:
Take my hand, precious Lord,
Lead me home.
The hymn "Precious Lord Take My Hand" is often sung at funerals. It assists us in the process of letting a loved one go. It brings comfort to know that the One who gave them life will receive them back again.
It was a surprise for me to learn that the hymn was written by Tommy Dorsey. His wife died when she gave birth to a baby boy. The baby boy died that evening. It was in the depth of his grieving that he sat down at the piano. He later said, "I sat down at the piano, and my hands began to browse over the keys. Something happened to me then. I felt at peace. I felt I could reach out and touch God. I found myself playing a melody. Once in my head they (the words) just seemed to fall into place." Those words that brought peace to him have been giving peace to others as they grieve the loss of their loved ones and give them to the loving hands of God.Precious Lord, take our hands and lead us into this new day. Help us recognize your presence in both the joys and the sorrows of life. Amen.
Franklin Lee
Pastor, Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Naples, Fla.
Doctorate of Ministry , 1965
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