A traditional gospel spiritual originally written in 1905 by Civilla D. Martin and Charles H. Gabriel, the song is most associated with actress-singer Ethel Waters. The song has been covered extensively in gospel music, with notable versions by Shirley Caesar, Marvin Gaye, Kirk Franklin and the Family, Lauryn Hill and Tanya Blount (from Sister Act 2), Mahalia Jackson, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Dottie West, Barbara Mandrell and Jessica Simpson.
