Jennifer Hudson brings audience to tears singing hymn to 82-year-old

The audience of the Jennifer Hudson Show were treated to an impromptu performance of a Christian hymn that brought many of them to tears. Hudson, a multi-talented singer/songwriter and actress, sang an a cappella rendition of “Jesus Promised Me a Home Over There,” an early 20th-century gospel tune.

The clip begins with Hudson approaching a woman who identifies herself as Marilyn, who is 82 years old. Hudson was told Marilyn had a question for her, but all she could ask was for Hudson to sing the hymn. The host waited only long enough for her sound crew to add a touch of reverb to her microphone before launching into the song, featured above.

Marilyn’s reaction was adorable and heartwarming. She looks taken aback from the very first notes and when Hudson quickly asks if Marilyn wanted to sing along, the grandmother bashfully held up her hand in polite refusal. From then on, Marilyn was all grins as Hudson sang the spiritual. By the time it was over, Marilyn and many among the audience were cheering with tears in their eyes.

It’s not surprising that Jennifer Hudson had the hymn locked and loaded in her repertoire, as she popularized the tune on her 2008 debut self-titled studio album. Hudson’s recent off-the-cuff performance of the song was well done, and made all the sweeter by the connection she formed with Marilyn, but the studio recording blows it away.

Not only does it include a gospel style piano and organ, but Hudson’s vocals are beyond impressive. She was just 27 years old when she recorded “Jesus Promised Me a Home Over There,” but she approaches the tune like a seasoned pro, with exceptional control over her melisma and to-die-for high notes. Give this excellent hymn a listen below.