Original title: If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again

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 homeplace 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


Notes

"James W. Vaughan, like his African-American counterpart, Thomas A. Dorsey, was one of the first white American composers of Gospel music to realize the commercial value of such music. Not only did he open a publishing house for the sale of his music, as did Dorsey, but like Dorsey, he participated in gospel music conventions. To a text by James Rowe, an Englishman who settled in Georgia near the turn of the century, he composed, in 1922, a melody that would become a gospel staple. "If I could Hear My Mother Pray Again" is now considered a part of gospel's standard repertoire, though its use as a Mother's Day song has declined because of the painful remembrances it evokes. On the other hand, it is a welcomed song at any other time of the year." source : Dr. Horace Clarence Boyer — Liner notes from "Mahalia Jackson - Gospels, Spirituals & Hymns" - Columbia 1991 - Sony Music entertainment inc).

Listen this song performed by the 'Staple Singers' (Recorded on November 1st 1955 at Vee-Jay Records, Chicago. Top Rank International, Arteco production - Vocals : Staple Singers / Guitar : Roebuck Staples.)


Ben Harper performed this song a capella for the first time ever live at The Turning Point, Piermont, NY, Oct. 20, 1994.

Lyrics of previous versions

How sweet and happy seem, those days of which I dream.
Memories I recall now and then.
And with what repture sweet, my weary heart will beat.
If I could hear my mother pray again.

If I could only hear my mother pray again.
If I could hear her sweet, 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 churching smiling face.
Was always bringing comfort, hope 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 sweet, tender voice as then.
How happy I would be, it would mean so much to me.
If I could hear my mother pray again.

She used to pray that I, on Jesus would rely.
And always walked the shining gospel way.
Her work on earth is done, her life crown has been won.
And now she's at rest with Him above.

If I could only hear my mother pray again.
If I could hear her sweet, 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.


Also appears on


Like A King - single - (01. Like a King 02. Waiting On An Angel 03. Remember 04. If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again)
Holland, 1993


Remember - promo - (01. Remember 02. If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again)
France, 1993


Ground On Down - single - (01. Ground On Down 02. Not Fire Not Ice 03. Wicked Man 04. If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again)
UK - France - Australia, 1995

Vocals: Ben Harper - Background vocals: Agnes Baddoo, Suzanne Frank, Amy Faust - Recorded and mixed by Bradley Cook - 1994


The Will To Live - album - (bonus track)
Japan, 1997


Burn To Shine - single (01. Burn To Shine 02. Waiting On An Angel - live in London 03. If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again)
Australia, 1999


Live at the Apollo - album
Virgin Records America, Inc., 2005