Tommy Dorsey & Others...

If you read Life with Lynnie (LwL) this past SONday, you'll know that I shared music and lyrics with you, on that day of worship.

Yes, I shared a gospel hymn with you by Thomas A. Dorsey entitled, Take My Hand, Precious Lord, that's also known as Precious Lord.

If you read that LwL entry, you'll also know that I shared information about it on Facebook (FB) about three and a half (3 1/2) years ago.  However, I also shared it again, a few months ago... on May 1, 2017.

Even though I shared it on FB, I want you to know that I received the information, by e-mail. 

So, I've decided to share with you what I posted on FB (I copied/pasted):

received this by e-mail. Interesting...

Who wrote the song "Precious Lord"? I was very surprised to find out who it was.

THE BIRTH OF THE HYMN "PRECIOUS LORD"

Back in 1932, I was a fairly new husband. My wife, Nettie and I were living in a little apartment on Chicago 's south side. One hot August afternoon I had to go to St. Louis where I was to be the featured soloist at a large revival meeting. I didn't want to go; Nettie was in the last month of pregnancy with our first child, but a lot of people were expecting me in St. Louis . I kissed Nettie goodbye, clattered downstairs to our Model A and, in a fresh
Lake Michigan breeze, chugged out of Chicago on Route 66.

However, outside the city, I discovered that in my anxiety at leaving, I had forgotten my music case. I wheeled around and headed back.

I found Nettie sleeping peacefully. I hesitated by her bed; something was
strongly telling me to stay But eager to get on my way, and not wanting to disturb Nettie, I shrugged off the feeling and quietly slipped out of the room with my music.

The next night, in the steaming St. Louis heat, the crowd called on me to sing again and again. When I finally sat down, a messenger boy ran up with a Western Union telegram. I ripped open the envelope....

Pasted on the yellow sheet were the words:

YOUR WIFE JUST DIED.

People were happily singing and clapping around me, but I could hardly keep from
crying out. I rushed to a phone and called home. All I could hear on the other end was "Nettie is dead. Nettie is dead.'"

When I got back, I learned that Nettie had given birth to a boy. I swung between
grief and joy. Yet that same night, the baby died. I buried Nettie and our little boy together, in the same casket. Then I fell apart. For days I closeted myself. I felt that God had done me an injustice. I didn't want to serve Him anymore or write gospel songs I just wanted to go back to that jazz
world I once knew so well. But then, as I hunched alone in that dark apartment
those first sad days, I thought back to the afternoon I went to St. Louis .

Something kept telling me to stay with Nettie. Was that something God? Oh, if I
had paid more attention to Him that day, I would have stayed and been with Nettie when she died.

From that moment on I vowed to listen more closely to Him. But still I was lost
in grief. Everyone was kind to me, especially one friend. The following Saturday evening he took me up to Maloney's Poro College , a neighborhood
music school. It was quiet; the late evening sun crept through the curtained windows.

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 as though I could reach out and touch God. I found myself playing a melody. Once in my head they just seemed to fall into place: '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.'

The Lord gave me these words and melody, He also healed my spirit. I learned that when we are in our deepest grief, when we feel farthest from God, this is when He is closest, and when we are most open to His restoring power.

And so I go on living for God willingly and joyfully, until that day comes when He will take me and gently lead me home.

- - - -Tommy Dorsey

For those too young to know who he is, Tommy Dorsey was a well-known band leader in the 1930's and 40's.

Did you know that Tommy Dorsey wrote this song? I surely didn't. What a wonderful story of how

God CAN heal the broken hearted! Beautiful, isn't it?

Worth the reading, wasn't it? Think on the message for a while.

Thought you might like to share this, I just did.

To me, it was wonderful what was said and done.  Even though it was truly heartbreaking.

But, just as what was said, God CAN heal the broken hearted!  And, He does.

Just as we read, in Psalm 147:3, "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds."

Amen!  He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds.

Just as He did for Tommy Dorsey, who created that beautiful music.

And, just as He does for everyone else.  Including me.

Thank You, Lord!


Until next time...

If you would like to comment, please e-mail:  lifewithlynnie@gmail.com