May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You

"May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You" is a popular song by Meredith Willson, originally published in 1950.

The song is now considered a standard, recorded by many artists.

It was used as Tallulah Bankhead's theme song for her NBC radio program, "The Big Show." Bankhead would recite the words in her husky voice, with guest stars joining in reciting the words, one line per star, which made a memorable ending for the show.

However, it was most popular when it was regularly sung by Kate Smith on her early 1950s TV show as the closing song.

The Tennessee Plough Boys and his Guitar recorded in New York City on December 13, 1950. It was released by RCA Victor Records as catalog number 20-0425 (in USA) and by EMI on the His Master's Voice label as catalog number MH 148.^[1]

Eddy Arnold

- included in his album Christmas in Our Hearts (1990).

Jose Mari Chan

- for his album When You Come to the End of the Day (1958)

Perry Como

- a single release recorded December 13, 1950 for Decca Records.^[2]

Bing Crosby

- for her album Give Us This Day (1957).^[3]

Joni James

- included in her album Sacred Arias (2008).

Katherine Jenkins

- A 1951 single release for Columbia Records in the UK. Included in the compilation album These Were Our Songs - The Early 50s.^[4]

Teddy Johnson

- A single release on Mercury-5580 and included in his album Music, Maestro, Please (1952).^[5]

Frankie Laine

- included in his album My Inspiration (1961).^[6]

Liberace

- for his album Good Night, Dear Lord (1959)

Johnny Mathis

- for his album Songs to Warm the Heart (1959).^[7]

Jim Reeves

- included in his album Good News (1967).^[8]

Cliff Richard

- a single release for Decca in 1951.^[9]

Ernest Tubb

- included in her album Inspiration (1969)

Tammy Wynette

- for his album My Garden of Prayer (1959)

Faron Young

and Russell Watson - included in their album In Harmony (2018)

Aled Jones

Many singers have recorded the song, including:

an ancient Jewish prayer with similar themes