Quotes from Mahalia Jackson

The mind and the voice by themselves are not sufficient.

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

When you are through with the blues, you've got nothing to rest on.

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.

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

I sing God's music because it makes me feel free. It gives me hope. With the blues, when you finish, you still have the blues.

Without a song, each day would be a century.

The old Devil gets mad when you're trying to do good. Pray that God will move the stumbling blocks.

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

I hope to bring people to God with my songs.

Gospel songs are the songs of hope. When you sing gospel you have the feeling there is a cure for what's wrong, but when you are through with the blues, you've got nothing to rest on.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Time is important to me because I want to sing long enough to leave a message. I'm used to singing in churches where nobody would dare stop me until the Lord arrives!

If you don't like Louis Armstrong, you don't know how to love.

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

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

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

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