NRR Project: 'If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again' (1934)

 

NRR Project: ‘If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again’

Music: John Whitfield Vaughan Lyrics: James Rowe

Performed by Thomas A. Dorsey

Recorded 1934

3:03

Gospel music was evolving. What once had been staid renditions of straight-up hymns began to incorporate the sounds of pop music, and even the blues.

Thomas Dorsey was one of those innovators, a prolific songwriter and performer. Of the blues. Yet in 1932 he turned his songwriting talents to writing gospel music exclusively. You can hear his barrelhouse sensibilities in his rendition of this song, interestingly one he did not write.

The lyrics of the song are sentimental and nostalgic, mourning the loss of a mother and her steadfast faith. However, this rendition of the song has the rollicking energy of a good-time song, with emphatic piano playing and singing by Dorsey, and a rowdy chorus behind him. The energy is infectious. It practically demands that the listener join in.

Dorsey rapidly abandoned performing and recording, but his output of classic songs include “Take My Hand, Precious Lord” and “Peace in the Valley.”

For more detailed information about the piece, please refer to Robert F. Darden’s excellent essay at the National Recording Registry.

The National Recording Registry Project tracks one writer’s expedition through all the recordings in the National Recording Registry in chronological order. Next up: Mal Hombre.