"Maitland" is also sometimes attributed to The Oberlin Social and Sabbath School Hymn Book,[3] which Allen edited, but this collection does not contain music.
[5] Dorsey wrote "Precious Lord" in response to his inconsolable bereavement at the deaths of both his wife, Nettie Harper, in childbirth, and their infant son, in August 1932.
[9] It was Martin Luther King Jr.'s favorite song, and he often invited gospel singer Mahalia Jackson to sing it at civil rights rallies to inspire crowds; at his request she sang it at his funeral in April 1968.
King's last words before his assassination was a request for musician Ben Branch to play it at a service he was due to attend that night.
In 2012, Mahalia Jackson's recording of "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" was honored with the Grammy Hall of Fame Award.