PRECIOUS LORD, the tune Thomas Dorsey used for his most beloved hymn, "Precious Lord, take my hand", is an adaptation of MAITLAND. Sometimes Dorsey is shown as the composer, sometimes as the arranger or adapter the tune. MAITLAND is often attributed to Allen, but the earliest known sources (H.W. Beecher'sPlymouth Collection, 1855; Leonard Bacon's Church Music, 1855) show that Allen was the author/adapter of the text "Must Jesus bear the cross alone," not the composer of the tune. The tune itself was printed without attribution for many years. MAITLAND is also sometimes attributed to the Oberlin Social and Sabbath School Hymn Book, which Allen edited, but this collection did not contain music. This tune originally appeared in hymnals and tune books as CROSS AND CROWN; the name MAITLAND appeared as early as 1859.
George Nelson Allen (1812-1871), studied at Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, Oh OH and with Lowell Mason in Boston. Allen gave a strong musical foundation to Oberlin College in its earliest years; in addition to being Professor of Music he also served as Professor of Geology and Natural History, Secretary and Treasurer. In 1835 he compiled The Oberlin Social and Sabbath Hymn Book, in which appeared his most well known tune MAITLAND (also known as CROSS AND CROWN or WESTERN MELODY) with the text "Must Jesus bear the cross alone?". This was adapted by Thomas A. Dorsey in 1938 for his hymn "Precious Lord, take my hand". hand." He composed anthems and wrote some additional music for Isaac Woodbury's Oratorio "Absalom." He compiled a small 3"… Go to person page >
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