Mahalia Jackson Quotes

One thing about playing the real jazz is that you can't count it.

I don't worry too much about the script, I just ad lib, like Pearl Bailey.

I close my eyes when I sing so I can feel the song better.

Gospel music rhythms are not African in origin, although I know that's what the jazz experts say.

Anybody that sings the blues is in a deep pit, yelling for help.

The Lord doesn't like us to be dead. Be alive. Sometimes I dance to the glory of the Lord, because He said so.

Sometimes you ask God for something and you don't know what you're asking.

My hands, my feet, I throw my whole body to say all that is within me.

If you want me to sing this Christmas song with the feeling and the meaning, you better see if you can locate that check.

I'll come to any benefit if I see SCLC get all the money.

I hope to bring people to God with my songs.

How can you sing of amazing grace and all God's wonders without using your hands?

Everybody needs somebody.

Money just draws flies.

Do you know most of the Jewish songs have the same trend of sadness as Negro spirituals?

Baby, black promoters oppressed me before white promoters ever got hold of me. Don't talk skin to me.

Anybody singing the blues is in a deep pit yelling for help.

God can make you anything you want to be, but you have to put everything in his hands.

When you sing gospel you have a feeling there is a cure for what's wrong.

Blues are the songs of despair, but gospel songs are the songs of hope.

Put your mind on the gospel. And remember - there's one God for all.

If you believe in God, He will open the windows of heaven and pour blessings upon you.

You're blessed if you have the strength to work.

It is easy to be independent when you've got money. But to be independent when you haven't got a thing, that's the Lord's test.

Faith and prayer are the vitamins of the soul; man cannot live in health without them.