Mother Pray

The Blind Boys of Alabama, Ben Harper

About Mother Pray

"If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again" (1922) is a popular gospel song written by John Whitfield "Whit" Vaughan (1879–1945), as a tribute to his own mother, Clara Beady Burgess-Vaughan. The words are based on a text by James Rowe, an English settler living in Georgia during the early twentieth century. A 1934 recording of the song by Thomas A. Dorsey was selected in 2007 by the United States' National Recording Preservation Board for preservation in the National Recording Registry. The song has been recorded by numerous artists, including Wade Mainer, Florida Boys, Daniel O'Donnell, Charlie Louvin duet with Tammy Wynette in 1991 on the album: "And That's The Gospel", Loretta Lynn, Dave Moody, Mahalia Jackson Dorothy Love Coates and Ben Harper. 


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How sweet and happy seem those days of which I dream
Memories I recall now and then
And with a rapture sweet my weary heart would beat
If I could hear my mother pray again

If I could only hear my mother pray again
If I could hear her tender voice as then
How happy I would be
It would mean so much to me
If I could hear my mother pray again

Around the old home place her cherishing smiling face
Was always bringing comfort joy and cheer
And when she used to sing to her eternal King
It was the sound I loved to hear

If I could only hear my mother pray again
If I could hear her tender voice as then
How happy I would be
It would mean so much to me
If I could hear my mother pray again

If I could hear my mother pray again
If I could hear my mother pray again

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Ben Harper

Benjamin Chase "Ben" Harper (born 28 October 1969) is an American singer-songwriter, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. Harper plays an eclectic mix of blues, folk, soul, reggae and rock music and is known for his guitar-playing skills, vocals, live performances and activism. Harper's fan base spans several continents. His albums have been commercially successful in North America, Europe and Oceania. Harper is a two-time Grammy Award winner as well, winning awards for Best Pop Instrumental Performance and Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album, in 2005. more »

2 fans

Written by: BEN HARPER, CLARENCE FOUNTAIN, ERIC MCKINNIE, JIMMY LEE CARTER, JOEY ANTHONY WILLIAMS

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


13 facts about this song

Song Identity
"Mother Pray" is a song by American singer-songwriter Ben Harper.
Album Connection
This song is featured on Ben Harper’s double album “Both Sides of The Gun,” which was released in 2006.
Classification
The song belongs to the folk rock genre.
Charitable Purpose
Ben Harper performed "Mother Pray" during the annual Bridge School Benefit Concerts in 2006. These concerts are a non-profit charity event conducted every October in Mountain View, California to raise funds for children with severe speech disorders.
Chart Performance
Despite being a fan-favorite, "Mother Pray" didn't chart as it wasn't released as a single from the "Both Sides of the Gun" album.
Instrumentation
The song demonstrates Ben Harper's skill on the slide guitar.
Lyrical Theme
"Mother Pray" is a deeply emotional song, reflecting on faith, love, and personal growth.
Collaborations
While the song doesn’t appear to have any direct collaborations, the “Both Sides of the Gun” album as a whole features numerous collaborations from other musicians.
Availability
"Mother Pray" is widely available across multiple streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.
Live Performances
Ben Harper often includes "Mother Pray" in his live sets, showcasing his dynamic range as a vocalist and musician.
Personal Connection
Although it’s unclear if "Mother Pray" is directly inspired by Harper’s own life, many of his songs often reveal personal stories, hinting at a possible personal connection to the song.
Critical Reception
"Mother Pray" is often praised by critics for its emotive delivery and the depth of its lyrics. Music critics and listeners alike commend Ben Harper’s authenticity in his songwriting — "Mother Pray" being an excellent example of this.
Underrated
Despite its powerful performance and lyrical depth, "Mother Pray" remains an underrated song in Ben Harper's discography.

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