One pair of black Gospel ballads to which I was introduced and I've heard sung a few places is "I Belong To You" and "I Give Myself Away." These songs are related because they share a composer (William McDowell) and a bridge, even though the chords can differ. Both these songs are ripe with vocal improvisation and harmony opportunities, and the chords are very straight-forward. However, when I've played one of these songs, I've suffered the temptation to rush the tempo. Lyrics are below:
I Give Myself Away
I give myself away
I give myself away, so You can use me
Here I am, here I stand
Lord my life is in Your hands
Lord I'm longing to see
Your desires revealed in me
Take my heart, take my life
As a living sacrifice
All my dreams, all my plans
Lord I place them in Your hands
My life is not my own, to You I belong
I give myself, I give myself to You
I Belong To You
I've been captured by a love I can't explain
Now You have me and I'm forever changed
I've abandoned everything I've ever known
Now I surrender my life is not my own
I belong to You
My life is not my own, to You I belong
I give myself, I give myself to You