Gospel Song – The Lord Will Make A Way Somehow
Gospel Song – The Lord Will Make A Way Somehow.
Thomas Dorsey (1899-1993) is forever known as the Father of Gospel Music, having written over 1,000 gospel songs in his career. He was a visionary who combined jazz and secular blues with sacred text and worship. His lyrics were biblically and musically inspiring. He wrote “The Lord Will Make A Way Somehow” in 1943, and it has taken on a life of its own through the decades. Thomas Dorsey literally invented gospel music, having coined the term “gospel” in the early 1930’s, and formed the first gospel choir in Chicago when he was the music director in the Pilgrim Baptist Church. He was a pioneer in encouraging the congregation there to clap, shout and stomp, to be exuberant in worship. He also produced worship music that has stood the test of time, inviting the musicians to be spontaneous and innovative. When he was in the spirit during the music, he would often play his piano while standing up, which has since been copied by many popular performers. Dorsey was an evangelist at heart, and he often voiced his yearning that he would win souls through his music. Thomas Dorsey was one of a kind, bringing to the worship world an entirely new style and genre of music that takes us to heaven.
LYRICS – The Lord Will Make A Way Somehow
- Like a ship that’s tossed and driven, battered by an angry sea;
When the storms of life are raging, and their fury falls on me.
I wonder what I have done that makes this race so hard to run.
Then I say to my soul, take courage, the Lord will make a way somehow.
Refrain: The Lord will make a way somehow, when beneath the cross I bow.
He will take away each sorrow, let Him have your burdens now.
When the loads bear down so heavy, the weight is shown upon my brow.
There’s a sweet relief in knowing, the Lord will make a way somehow.
2. Try to do the best in service, try to do the best you can.
When I choose to do the right thing, evil’s present on every hand.
I look up and wonder why that good fortune passed me by.
Then I say to my soul, be patient, the Lord will make a way somehow.
Refrain
3. Often there’s misunderstanding, out of all the good I do.
Go to friends for consolation, and I find them complaining too.
So many nights I toss in pain, wondering what the day will bring.
Then I say to my heart, don’t worry, the Lord will make a way somehow.
This gospel song has been performed in every genre imaginable: soul with Aretha Franklin; rhythm and blues with Al Green; reggae with Shirley Willis; funk with Tina Turner. It has been sung with full choir, as solo, with quartet. This variety of musical interpretations reveal the genius of Thomas Dorsey, who could write gospel songs that could be used as a springboard to so many genres while remaining worship. The lyrics of “The Lord Will Make A Way Somehow” by Thomas Dorsey are intended to inspire hope and courage and patience during difficult times. The words are so relevant today.