If I Can Help Somebody. By Alma B. Androzzo.

 



The song “If I Can Help Somebody” is a beloved gospel hymn written by Alma Bazel Androzzo in 1945. It has become one of the most enduring and inspirational pieces of mid-20th-century sacred music, often performed at civil rights gatherings, church services, and funerals of prominent leaders.

About the Songwriter: Alma B. Androzzo

• Alma Bazel Androzzo (1912–2001) was an African American composer and lyricist.

• Born in Harriman, Tennessee, she was largely self-taught musically.

• Though she composed several works, “If I Can Help Somebody” remains her most famous and influential composition.

• She published the song in 1945, and it quickly gained popularity across gospel and spiritual music communities.


Musical and Theological Themes

• The lyrics reflect Christian values of service, compassion, and selflessness.

• Rooted in Matthew 25:40 — “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these… ye have done it unto me” — the song expresses a desire for one’s life to have eternal meaning through acts of kindness and justice.

• Its tone is humble yet resolute, making it a favorite for both solo and choir renditions.


Cultural and Historical Significance

• The song became closely associated with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who quoted it in his final sermon at Ebenezer Baptist Church on February 4, 1968:

“If I can help somebody as I pass along, then my living will not be in vain…”

• This association elevated the hymn to an almost anthemic status within the Civil Rights Movement, often sung to honor lives dedicated to justice and equality.

• It has since been performed by artists like:

• Mahalia Jackson

• Harry Belafonte

• Gladys Knight

• Whitney Houston

• Andraé Crouch

• The song is frequently sung at funerals, commemorations, and tributes to leaders, educators, ministers, and activists.




Legacy


“If I Can Help Somebody” is not just a hymn—it’s a philosophy of life and a spiritual call to action. Through its simple structure and powerful message, it continues to inspire people to live purposefully, serve others, and leave the world better than they found it.



If I Can Help Somebody.


©1945, Alma B. Androzzo


If I can help somebody as I pass along,

If I can cheer somebody with a word or song,


If I can show somebody he is trav’ling wrong,

Then my living shall not be in vain.

Then my living shall not be in vain,

Then my living shall not be in vain;

If I can help somebody as I pass along,

Then my living shall not be in vain.



If I can do my duty as a Christian ought,

If I can bring back beauty to a world up-wrought,

If I can spread love’s message that the Master taught,

Then my living shall not be in vain.

Then my living shall not be in vain,

Then my living shall not be in vain;

If I can help somebody as I pass along,

Then my living shall not be in vain.





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