In My Time of Dying - Early Versions

Early Versions

In October 1926, Reverend J. C. Burnett recorded "Jesus Is Going to Make Up Your Dying Bed", but it was never issued. A biographer noted that Blind Willie Johnson may have heard Burnett's song or otherwise learned some of his lyrics. Blind Willie Johnson recorded the song during his first recording session on December 3, 1927 as "Jesus Make Up My Dying Bed" and the second take was released as his first single in 1928, backed by "I Know His Blood Can Make Me Whole" (Columbia 14276-D). Johnson performed the song as a gospel blues with his vocal and slide guitar accompaniment, using an open D tuning with a capo resulting in a pitch of E♭. An initial pressing of 9,400 records showed Columbia's confidence in the song, who normally released fewer records for major stars such as Bessie Smith. "A later pressing of 6,000 made this a massive debut record" and one of Johnson's most successful records.

In December 1929, Charlie Patton recorded a version with somewhat different lyrics as "Jesus Is A-Dying Bed Maker" (Paramount 12986-A). On August 15, 1933, Josh White recorded the song as "Jesus Gonna Make Up My Dying Bed" (Banner 32859). White later recorded it in 1944–1946 as "In My Time of Dying", which inspired several popular versions.