Thomas A Dorsey: Precious Lord

Sun. Jan. 15 Music Notes: Thomas A. Dorsey (1899-1993) was a blues pianist who became a church musician. He is often called the father of gospel music, because of his role in the shift away from European classical music in African American churches. He wrote Precious Lord in response to the deaths of his wife and infant son in childbirth in August of 1932. We can all connect with the deep feelings expressed in the song, which Dorsey once said came directly to him from God. It became the most recorded gospel song ever, and it has been interpreted in many different styles. It was the favorite song of Martin Luther King, and it was sung at the Memphis rally the night before he was assassinated. The melody for Dorsey's song came from a 1844 hymn by George Allen, who was one of the earliest music teachers at Oberlin College. Today's choral arrangement is by Jack Schrader whose hymn settings are widely sung in Christian churches every Sunday. Dorsey's song has become a truly powerful multicultural achievement. – John Bohman