William Herbert Brewster Sr. Grave

Hymn History: Take Your Burden to the Lord & Author: William Herbert Brewster Sr.

“Combining the fortitude of older black sacred music traditions with the fervor and rhythmic appeal of newer gospel songs, Brewster’s music was, in the words of gospel singing great Willa Ward, ‘as good as it gets.’”
(Memphis Music Hall of Fame)

The Origin of the Hymn “Take Your Burden to the Lord and Leave It There”

Few hymns capture the peace that comes from trusting God with life’s burdens as beautifully as “Take Your Burden to the Lord and Leave It There.” Written in the early 20th century by Charles Albert Tindley (1851–1933), one of America’s greatest gospel hymnwriters and preachers, this beloved song continues to comfort believers who struggle with worry, pain, or fear. Its message is simple yet profound — that true rest is found when we place our troubles in God’s hands and trust Him to provide.

The Hymnwriter: Charles Albert Tindley

Charles A. Tindley’s life is a remarkable story of faith, perseverance, and devotion. Born in 1851 in Berlin, Maryland, to a slave father and a free mother, Tindley grew up in poverty and hardship during the years following the Civil War. Despite being denied formal education, he taught himself to read and write by studying the Bible and borrowed books. His thirst for knowledge and faith in God guided him through a life of service and ministry.

Tindley eventually entered the Methodist Episcopal ministry, rising to become pastor of one of Philadelphia’s largest congregations — the Bainbridge Street Methodist Church, later renamed Tindley Temple in his honor. His sermons were passionate and practical, addressing the struggles of his people during an era of great social and racial challenges. From his deep understanding of Scripture and human suffering came a stream of powerful gospel hymns that continue to bless generations.

Among his most enduring songs are “Stand by Me,” “We’ll Understand It Better By and By,” “Beams of Heaven (As I Go),” “Nothing Between My Soul and the Savior,” and “Take Your Burden to the Lord and Leave It There.”

The Inspiration for the Hymn

Tindley wrote “Take Your Burden to the Lord and Leave It There” around 1916, drawing inspiration from the words of Psalm 55:22, which says:

“Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain you.”

He also likely reflected on 1 Peter 5:7, which teaches:

“Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.”

These verses spoke powerfully to Tindley, who ministered to people weighed down by poverty, illness, and racial injustice. He often preached that God’s help was not distant or abstract but immediate and personal — that anyone could take their burdens to the Lord in prayer and find peace.

The hymn was born from this conviction. Its verses speak directly to the heart, addressing life’s common struggles: sickness, despair, temptation, and doubt. The first verse sets the tone:

If the world from you withhold of its silver and its gold,
And you have to get along with meager fare;
Just remember, in His Word, how He feeds the little bird,
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

Tindley’s imagery — the hungry bird, the weary soul, the daily struggle — reflects both his pastoral care and his own experience of hardship. Yet his focus never remains on suffering; it always turns toward faith and trust in God’s provision.

Music and Style

Like most of Tindley’s hymns, “Take Your Burden to the Lord” is simple in structure but rich in emotional depth. Tindley wrote both the words and melody, blending the rhythmic expressiveness of early African American gospel with the devotional character of Methodist hymnody. The song’s refrain —

Leave it there, leave it there,
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there;
If you trust and never doubt,
He will surely bring you out —
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

— serves as both exhortation and comfort. It invites the singer to release anxiety, surrender control, and rest in God’s care.

Musically, the hymn’s moderate tempo and singable melody made it ideal for congregational worship. It soon spread through revival meetings, camp gatherings, and gospel songbooks, reaching churches across racial and denominational lines.

Publication and Popular Reception

The hymn was first published in 1916 in Tindley’s collection New Songs of Paradise, a songbook that included several of his most beloved works. It quickly gained popularity within African American congregations and later became a staple in many white evangelical churches as well. Its universality — the shared human experience of burden and the hope of divine help — made it beloved across boundaries.

During the 20th century, the hymn was recorded by numerous gospel and country artists, including Tennessee Ernie Ford, Mahalia Jackson, and Elvis Presley. Each rendition carried the same timeless message: faith releases fear, and trust brings peace.

The Message and Theology of the Hymn

At its core, “Take Your Burden to the Lord and Leave It There” is a song of trust and surrender. It urges believers to place every concern — physical, emotional, or spiritual — into God’s care. Tindley’s lyrics reveal a deep understanding of the Christian life as a continual act of faith amid uncertainty.

Each verse deals with a different kind of burden:

• Material hardship: trusting God for daily needs.
• Sickness and suffering: finding comfort in Christ’s healing power.
• Temptation and sin: relying on divine strength to overcome.
• Death and grief: holding to the promise of eternal life.

In every circumstance, the solution is the same: bring the burden to the Lord and trust Him completely.

Enduring Legacy

More than a century after its composition, “Take Your Burden to the Lord and Leave It There” remains a beloved hymn of encouragement and hope. It has crossed cultural, musical, and denominational lines, sung in traditional hymnals, gospel concerts, and contemporary worship alike. Its message continues to comfort those who are weary, reminding them that God’s strength is sufficient for every trial.

Charles Albert Tindley’s hymn endures because it speaks to a universal truth — that peace is found not in carrying life’s burdens alone, but in surrendering them to the loving hands of the Savior. His faith-filled words still echo the promise of Scripture: “Cast your cares on the Lord, and He will sustain you.”