Jester Hairston
Description
Jester Joseph Hairston was an American composer, songwriter, arranger, choral conductor and actor. He was regarded as a leading expert on black spirituals and choral music. His notable compositions include "Amen", a gospel-tinged theme from the film Lilies of the Field and a 1964 hit for the Impressions, and the Christmas song "Mary's Boy Child".
Wikipedia. CC BY-SA 4.0. Updated Jul 11, 2026.