Edited by Azizi Powell
This post corrects mistatements found online that indicate that the composer of the religious song "Peace In The Valley" was Elvis Presly or Rosanne Cash. The REAL composer of that song was African American Blues/Gospel musician & composer Thomas A. Dorsey.
This post provides information about Thomas A. Dorsey, song lyrics for "Peace In The Valley", and eight YouTube examples of that song. The majority of these examples are by African American Gospel singers (Thomas A. Dorsey with R.H. Harris, Clara Ward, Little Richard, Mahalia Jackson, andSister Rosetta Tharpe. One example is by White American country singer Red Foley, one is by White American Rock & Roll, Gospel, Country singer Elvis Presley, and one is by the integrated vocal group, Gaither Vocal Band.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, religious, and aesthetic reasons.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Thomas Dorsey and all other featured vocalists for their musical legacy. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these examples on YouTube.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THOMAS A. DORSEY, THE COMPOSER OF "PEACE IN THE VALLEY"
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_A._Dorsey
"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."[2] Earlier in his life he was a leading blues pianist known as Georgia Tom. As formulated by Dorsey, gospel music combines Christian praise with the rhythms of jazz and the blues. His conception also deviates from what had been, to that time, standard hymnal practice by referring explicitly to the self, and the self's relation to faith and God, rather than the individual subsumed into the group via belief...
As Georgia Tom, he teamed up with Tampa Red (Hudson Whittaker) with whom he recorded the raunchy 1928 hit record "Tight Like That", a sensation, eventually selling seven million copies.[3] In all, he is credited with more than 400 blues and jazz songs. Dorsey began recording gospel music alongside blues in the mid-1920s. This led to his performing at the National Baptist Convention in 1930, and becoming the bandleader of two churches in the early 1930s.[4]
His first wife, Nettie... died in childbirth in 1932. Two days later the child, a son, also died. In his grief, he wrote his most famous song, one of the most famous of all gospel songs, "Precious Lord, Take My Hand".[5] Unhappy with the treatment 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...
Dorsey wrote "Peace in the Valley" for Mahalia Jackson in 1937, which also became a gospel standard. He was the first African American elected to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and also the first in the Gospel Music Association's Living Hall of Fame."...
****
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peace_in_the_Valley
"Peace in the Valley" is a 1937 song written by Thomas A. Dorsey, originally for Mahalia Jackson.[1] The song became a hit in 1951 for Red Foley and the Sunshine Boys, reaching No. 7 on the Country & Western Best Seller chart.[2] It was among the first gospel recordings to sell one million copies. Foley's version was a 2006 entry into the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry.[3]
After the success of Red Foley's interpretation, Jo Stafford recorded the song for her 1954 gospel album Garden of Prayer. Because of the rendition by Elvis Presley (with backing by the Jordanaires on his first Christmas album) in 1957 the song forever became a country-pop favorite."...
****
LYRICS: PEACE IN THE VALLEY
(Thomas A. Dorsey)
Oh well, I'm tired and so weary
But I must go alone
Till the lord comes and calls, calls me away, oh yes
Well the morning's so bright
And the lamp is alight
And the night, night is as black as the sea, oh yes
There will be peace in the valley for me, some day
There will be peace in the valley for me, oh Lord I pray
There'll be no sadness, no sorrow
No trouble, trouble I see
There will be peace in the valley for me, for me
Well the bear will be gentle
And the wolves will be tame
And the lion shall lay down by the lamb, oh yes
And the beasts from the wild
Shall be lit by a child
And I'll be changed, changed from this creature that I am, oh yes
There will be peace in the valley for me, some day
There will be peace in the valley for me, oh Lord I pray
There'll be no sadness, no sorrow
No trouble, trouble I see
There will be peace in the valley for me, for me
Source: Google Lyrics: Peace In The Valley
****
FEATURED EXAMPLES
These examples are presented in chronological order based on their publishing date, with the oldest dated example given first.
Example #1: Red Foley - Peace In The Valley
spellerine, Uploaded on Jul 4, 2009
Sacred song later recorded by Elvis Presley. On listening to this version, I believe this was the recording that Elvis based his own on. They are very similar sounding, right down to the phrasings and background singers!
****
Example #2: Peace In The Valley - Sister Rosetta Tharpe, "The Great Gospel Women"
Pannellctp Traditional Gospel Music, Uploaded on Nov 14, 2011
Original Release Date: June 30, 1993. Recorded between 1948 and 1991.
The Great Gospel Women, Shanachie 6004 (USA).
-snip-
Selected comment:
MrTheOneAndOnly83, 2013
"The Anita Kerr singers are the backing vocals."
****
Example #3: Little Richard - Peace in the Valley.mpg
ThomShelford Published on Mar 17, 2012
Little Richard in great vocal mode - an updated video with more suitable photos!
****
Example #4: Peace In The Valley-Clara Ward
tinascaravans, Published on Sep 22, 2012
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.
-snip-
Commenters in this sound file’s discussion thread wrote that this song was recorded in the 1970s, “in Clara Ward’s heyday” [when her popularity was at its highest point].
****
Example #5: Originals and inspirations of Elvis' songs-Vol.9-(There'll Be)Peace In The Valley (For Me)
Pueni66, Published on Dec 21, 2012
Mahalia Jackson-(There'll Be)Peace In The Valley(For Me)-1937
Although this is the original version the 1951 version of Red Foley probably was the inspiration for Elvis
****
Example #6: (There'll Be) Peace In The Valley - Thomas A. Dorsey with R.H. Harris
Pannellctp Traditional Gospel Music, Published on Jan 7, 2013
-snip-
According to a commenter on this sound file's discussion thread, this rendition of "Peace In The Valley" was recorded in 1973.
****
Example #7: Vintage Performance of Elvis Presley Singing Gospel Peace in the Valley
flash91214 Published on Jan 23, 2014
****
Example #8: Gaither Vocal Band - Peace In The Valley (Live)
GaitherVEVO Published on Mar 17, 2015
-snip-
According to a commenter on this video's discussion thread, the soloist's name is Todd Suttles.
****
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Visitor comments are welcome.
Showing posts with label Thomas A. Dorsey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thomas A. Dorsey. Show all posts
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Rev. Thomas A. Dorsey - "Take My Hand, Precious Lord"
Edited by Azizi Powell
This post presents information about, song lyrics, and two YouTube sound files of the Gospel song "Take My Hand Precious Lord" (also known as "Precious Lord, Take My Hand"; and "Precious Lord".) Information about Thomas A. Dorsey, that song's composer, is also included in this post.
The content of this post is presented for religious, historical, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SONG "TAKE MY HAND, PRECIOUS LORD"
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Take_My_Hand,_Precious_Lord
"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).
ORIGIN
The melody is credited to Dorsey, drawn from an 1844 hymn entitled "Maitland" by American composer George N. Allen (1812–1877).[1] Dorsey said that he used it as inspiration.[2] The "Maitland" music was for the text "Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone," and first appeared in The Oberlin Social and Sabbath School Hymn Book.[3] Dorsey wrote "Precious Lord" in response to his inconsolable bereavement at the death of his wife, Nettie Harper, in childbirth, and his infant son in August 1932.[4] (Mr. Dorsey can be seen telling this story in the 1981 gospel music documentary Say Amen, Somebody.) The earliest known recording was made on February 16, 1937, by the Heavenly Gospel Singers (Bluebird B6846).[5] "Take My Hand, Precious Lord" is published in more than 40 languages.[6]
[STANDARD] LYRICS
(Thomas A. Dorsey)
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
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home
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
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home
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
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home
Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I'm tired, I'm weak, I'm lone*
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home
-snip-
*The third line in the last verse is often sung as "I'm tired, I'm weak, I'm worn".
The lyrics that Rev. Dorsey sang at are given below.
****
FEATURED EXAMPLES
Example #1: Take My Hand, Precious Lord - Thomas Dorsey
Walter Robinson, published on Aug 4, 2013
This is a special channel featuring the best in traditional and contemporary gospel music.
-snip-
Here's the first verse of this rendition* [as sung by Rev. Thomas A. Dorsey at a 1983 Gospel convention event]**
Precious Lord, I love Your name
When I look back
From whence I came
Sometimes stumbling,
Sometimes falling,
Sometimes alone.
Friends and loved ones
I loved so dear
Many are gone
But still I'm here.
Take my hand, Precious Lord
And lead me home.
-snip-
The remainder of the song is the same as the first two verses of the standard lyrics given above.
-snip-
*Transcription by Azizi Powell from the video. Additions & corrections are welcome.
** This recording is featured in the 1983 album Say Amen Somebody
Here's information about that album from ttp://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=1027426&style=music&fulldesc=T "Say Amen, Somebody Soundtrack CD"
"The soundtrack to George T. Nierenberg's fine 1982 film documentary on gospel music, Say Amen, Somebody isn't quite as explosive an experience with the visual elements stripped away, but it still packs a pretty joyous punch. Nierenberg centered his film around two pioneering gospel artists, Rev. Thomas A. Dorsey, who wrote scores of gospel classics, including "Take My Hand, Precious Lord" and "Peace in the Valley," and Willie Mae Ford Smith, whose dynamic "song and sermon" approach to gospel set an almost impossible to duplicate performance standard. Dorsey was 83 years old (he died in 1993) and Smith was 79 years old (she passed in 1994) when Nierenberg shot his film in 1980, so he literally captured the twilight phase of gospel's golden era.
Modern gospel truly begins with Dorsey, who morphed from the barrelhouse piano player he was in the '20s (he recorded as Georgia Tom) into the 20th century's premier gospel composer in the '30s. He's featured here in two performances, one of his a classic "Take My Hand, Precious Lord" (the great Mahalia Jackson also does a version on the album) and the other an incredibly poignant, halting and endearingly affected version of "When I've Done My Best." Smith has four tracks, highlighted by the spirited "Canaan" which closes out the set. One really has to see Smith to really appreciate what she's doing, however, as she was as much a visual testament to gospel in her performances as a vocal one. Several younger, next generation gospel artists are also given tracks here, most notably the O'Neal Twins, Edward and Edgar, on the striking "It's Gonna Rain."
The Say Amen, Somebody soundtrack was originally released in 1990 on DRG Records, and this Rykodisc reissue reproduces that release with different cover art and graphics. ~ Steve Leggett Includes liner notes by Chris Albertson. Mahalia Jackson,Willie Mae Ford Smith,Etc Engineers: Danny Michael, John Hampton, Neelon Crawford. Composer: Rev. Thomas A. Dorsey. Personnel: Lee Cochran, Bertha Smith, Charles Pikes (piano); Gene Cooper, James Ward , Lee Scott (organ); Sam Benford (bass guitar); Arnold White, Banon Buchanan (drums).
Liner Note Author: Chris Albertson. Director: George T. Nierenberg. Editor: Paul Barnes. Unknown Contributor Roles: Delois Barrett; Mahalia Jackson; The Barrett Sisters; Willie Mae Ford Smith."
-snip-
This quote was reformated to increased its readability.
****
Example #2: Take My Hand, Precious Lord - Thomas A. Dorsey with Marion Williams
pannellctp, Published on Jan 7, 2013
Thomas A. Dorsey learned his religion from his Baptist minister father and piano from his music teacher mother in Villa Rica, Georgia, where he was born July 1, 1899. He came under the influence of local blues pianist when they moved to Atlanta in 1910.
He and his family relocated to Chicago during World War I where they joined the Pilgrim Baptist Church, and he studied at the Chicago College of Composition and Arranging and became an agent for Paramount Records.
He began his musical career known as Georgia Tom, playing barrelhouse piano in one of Al Capone's Chicago speakeasies and leading Ma Rainey's Jazz band. He hooked up with slide guitarist Hudson Tampa Red Whittaker with whom he recorded the best selling blues hit, "Tight Like That," in 1928 and wrote more than 460 Rhythm and Blues and Jazz songs.
He was soon whipped into shape to do the Lords will. Discouraged by his own efforts to publish and sell his songs through the old method of peddled song sheets and dissatisfied with the treatment given composers of race music by the music publishing industry, Dorsey became the first independent publisher of black Gospel music with the establishment of the Dorsey House of music in Chicago in 1932.
He also founded and became the President of the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses. He wrote his classic and most famous song, "Precious Lord" in the grief following the death of his first wife in childbirth in 1932.
It since has been recorded by such diverse artists as Mahalia Jackson, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, and Elvis Presley, and was the favorite Gospel song of both Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who asked that it be sung at the rally he led the night before his assassination, and of President Lyndon B. Johnson who requested that it be sung at his funeral.
Almost equally well known is his "Peace in the Valley," which he wrote for Mahalia Jackson in 1937. In October of 1979, he was the first black elected to the Nashville Songwriters International Hall of Fame.
In September 1981, his native Georgia honored him with election to the Georgia Music Hall of Fame; in March 1982, he was the first black elected to the Gospel Music Association's Living Hall of Fame; in August 1982, the Thomas A. Dorsey Archives were opened at Fisk University where his collection joined those of W. C. Handy, George Gershwin, and the Jubilee Singers.
Summing up his life, he says all his work has been from God, for God, and for his people.
-snip-
Click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xn8RpQyX4M to read interesting & informative comments about this song and this recording on this video's viewer comment thread.
Also, click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marion_Williams for information about Gospel singer Marion Williams (August 29, 1927 – July 2, 1994).
****
Thanks to Rev. Thomas A. Dorsey for his musical legacy. Thanks also to Marion Williams for her musical legacy. Thanks to the publishers of those featured videos & thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This post presents information about, song lyrics, and two YouTube sound files of the Gospel song "Take My Hand Precious Lord" (also known as "Precious Lord, Take My Hand"; and "Precious Lord".) Information about Thomas A. Dorsey, that song's composer, is also included in this post.
The content of this post is presented for religious, historical, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SONG "TAKE MY HAND, PRECIOUS LORD"
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Take_My_Hand,_Precious_Lord
"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).
ORIGIN
The melody is credited to Dorsey, drawn from an 1844 hymn entitled "Maitland" by American composer George N. Allen (1812–1877).[1] Dorsey said that he used it as inspiration.[2] The "Maitland" music was for the text "Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone," and first appeared in The Oberlin Social and Sabbath School Hymn Book.[3] Dorsey wrote "Precious Lord" in response to his inconsolable bereavement at the death of his wife, Nettie Harper, in childbirth, and his infant son in August 1932.[4] (Mr. Dorsey can be seen telling this story in the 1981 gospel music documentary Say Amen, Somebody.) The earliest known recording was made on February 16, 1937, by the Heavenly Gospel Singers (Bluebird B6846).[5] "Take My Hand, Precious Lord" is published in more than 40 languages.[6]
[STANDARD] LYRICS
(Thomas A. Dorsey)
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
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home
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
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home
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
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home
Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I'm tired, I'm weak, I'm lone*
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home
-snip-
*The third line in the last verse is often sung as "I'm tired, I'm weak, I'm worn".
The lyrics that Rev. Dorsey sang at are given below.
****
FEATURED EXAMPLES
Example #1: Take My Hand, Precious Lord - Thomas Dorsey
Walter Robinson, published on Aug 4, 2013
This is a special channel featuring the best in traditional and contemporary gospel music.
-snip-
Here's the first verse of this rendition* [as sung by Rev. Thomas A. Dorsey at a 1983 Gospel convention event]**
Precious Lord, I love Your name
When I look back
From whence I came
Sometimes stumbling,
Sometimes falling,
Sometimes alone.
Friends and loved ones
I loved so dear
Many are gone
But still I'm here.
Take my hand, Precious Lord
And lead me home.
-snip-
The remainder of the song is the same as the first two verses of the standard lyrics given above.
-snip-
*Transcription by Azizi Powell from the video. Additions & corrections are welcome.
** This recording is featured in the 1983 album Say Amen Somebody
Here's information about that album from ttp://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=1027426&style=music&fulldesc=T "Say Amen, Somebody Soundtrack CD"
"The soundtrack to George T. Nierenberg's fine 1982 film documentary on gospel music, Say Amen, Somebody isn't quite as explosive an experience with the visual elements stripped away, but it still packs a pretty joyous punch. Nierenberg centered his film around two pioneering gospel artists, Rev. Thomas A. Dorsey, who wrote scores of gospel classics, including "Take My Hand, Precious Lord" and "Peace in the Valley," and Willie Mae Ford Smith, whose dynamic "song and sermon" approach to gospel set an almost impossible to duplicate performance standard. Dorsey was 83 years old (he died in 1993) and Smith was 79 years old (she passed in 1994) when Nierenberg shot his film in 1980, so he literally captured the twilight phase of gospel's golden era.
Modern gospel truly begins with Dorsey, who morphed from the barrelhouse piano player he was in the '20s (he recorded as Georgia Tom) into the 20th century's premier gospel composer in the '30s. He's featured here in two performances, one of his a classic "Take My Hand, Precious Lord" (the great Mahalia Jackson also does a version on the album) and the other an incredibly poignant, halting and endearingly affected version of "When I've Done My Best." Smith has four tracks, highlighted by the spirited "Canaan" which closes out the set. One really has to see Smith to really appreciate what she's doing, however, as she was as much a visual testament to gospel in her performances as a vocal one. Several younger, next generation gospel artists are also given tracks here, most notably the O'Neal Twins, Edward and Edgar, on the striking "It's Gonna Rain."
The Say Amen, Somebody soundtrack was originally released in 1990 on DRG Records, and this Rykodisc reissue reproduces that release with different cover art and graphics. ~ Steve Leggett Includes liner notes by Chris Albertson. Mahalia Jackson,Willie Mae Ford Smith,Etc Engineers: Danny Michael, John Hampton, Neelon Crawford. Composer: Rev. Thomas A. Dorsey. Personnel: Lee Cochran, Bertha Smith, Charles Pikes (piano); Gene Cooper, James Ward , Lee Scott (organ); Sam Benford (bass guitar); Arnold White, Banon Buchanan (drums).
Liner Note Author: Chris Albertson. Director: George T. Nierenberg. Editor: Paul Barnes. Unknown Contributor Roles: Delois Barrett; Mahalia Jackson; The Barrett Sisters; Willie Mae Ford Smith."
-snip-
This quote was reformated to increased its readability.
****
Example #2: Take My Hand, Precious Lord - Thomas A. Dorsey with Marion Williams
pannellctp, Published on Jan 7, 2013
Thomas A. Dorsey learned his religion from his Baptist minister father and piano from his music teacher mother in Villa Rica, Georgia, where he was born July 1, 1899. He came under the influence of local blues pianist when they moved to Atlanta in 1910.
He and his family relocated to Chicago during World War I where they joined the Pilgrim Baptist Church, and he studied at the Chicago College of Composition and Arranging and became an agent for Paramount Records.
He began his musical career known as Georgia Tom, playing barrelhouse piano in one of Al Capone's Chicago speakeasies and leading Ma Rainey's Jazz band. He hooked up with slide guitarist Hudson Tampa Red Whittaker with whom he recorded the best selling blues hit, "Tight Like That," in 1928 and wrote more than 460 Rhythm and Blues and Jazz songs.
He was soon whipped into shape to do the Lords will. Discouraged by his own efforts to publish and sell his songs through the old method of peddled song sheets and dissatisfied with the treatment given composers of race music by the music publishing industry, Dorsey became the first independent publisher of black Gospel music with the establishment of the Dorsey House of music in Chicago in 1932.
He also founded and became the President of the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses. He wrote his classic and most famous song, "Precious Lord" in the grief following the death of his first wife in childbirth in 1932.
It since has been recorded by such diverse artists as Mahalia Jackson, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, and Elvis Presley, and was the favorite Gospel song of both Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who asked that it be sung at the rally he led the night before his assassination, and of President Lyndon B. Johnson who requested that it be sung at his funeral.
Almost equally well known is his "Peace in the Valley," which he wrote for Mahalia Jackson in 1937. In October of 1979, he was the first black elected to the Nashville Songwriters International Hall of Fame.
In September 1981, his native Georgia honored him with election to the Georgia Music Hall of Fame; in March 1982, he was the first black elected to the Gospel Music Association's Living Hall of Fame; in August 1982, the Thomas A. Dorsey Archives were opened at Fisk University where his collection joined those of W. C. Handy, George Gershwin, and the Jubilee Singers.
Summing up his life, he says all his work has been from God, for God, and for his people.
-snip-
Click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xn8RpQyX4M to read interesting & informative comments about this song and this recording on this video's viewer comment thread.
Also, click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marion_Williams for information about Gospel singer Marion Williams (August 29, 1927 – July 2, 1994).
****
Thanks to Rev. Thomas A. Dorsey for his musical legacy. Thanks also to Marion Williams for her musical legacy. Thanks to the publishers of those featured videos & thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
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