I link off my main page to WBGO which is great jazz station out of Newark, New Jersey. When Nina Simone died two weeks ago they remembered her by playing many of her hits, like 'I Want a Little Sugar in my Bowl.'

I thought it might be better to remember her by her performance of Thomas Dorsey's hymn, 'Take My Hand, Precious Lord,' which was recorded in 1968 a few days after Martin Luther King was assassinated. She only sings the first verse and actually flubs a line, but it's still so beautiful it'll make you cry.

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.

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

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

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