sweet sweet spirit

 1962

"Sweet, Sweet Spirit" was written in 1962 by American gospel composer Doris Akers, often called "Miss Gospel Music". The hymn was born from a spontaneous moment of deep prayer and has since become a global staple in Christian worship. 

1. The Inspiration

The song originated during a pre-service prayer session with Akers' Sky Pilot Choir at the Sky Pilot Revival Center in Los Angeles. 

The Prayer Meeting: Akers felt the choir wasn't spiritually prepared for the service and asked them to pray a second time.

The "Sweet Spirit": The prayer grew so intense and moving that Akers struggled to end it, even though the pastor was waiting for them to start the service.

The Quote: As she finally led the choir out, she told them, "I hate to leave this room... but there is such a sweet, sweet Spirit in this place".

The Composition: The melody and lyrics "sang" to her the next morning; she went to her piano and finished the song that day. 

2. Publication and Musical Style

First Publication: It was first released as sheet music in 1962 by her own company, Simmons and Akers Music, and later copyrighted by Manna Music in 1963.

Choral Popularity: A 1965 arrangement by Kurt Kaiser helped the song spread rapidly through choral performances, often leading people to believe it was written that year.

Musical Shift: The song is noted for shifting the focus from the individual ("I") to the collective ("we"), reflecting a "spirit of Christian oneness". 

3. Legacy and Impact

Cross-Cultural Appeal: As the director of one of the first interracial choirs in Los Angeles, Akers used her music to bridge cultural gaps during the Civil Rights Movement.

Hymnal Adoption: It was added to major hymnals like The United Methodist Hymnal (1989), where it became a standard for the "greeting time" in worship due to its simple, memorable melody.

Recognition: In 1992, the Smithsonian Institution honored Akers as the "foremost black gospel songwriter in the United States".