Hymn Story: All That Thrills My Soul is Jesus
“All that Thrills My Soul is Jesus” was written by Thoro Harris. Harris was born on March 31, 1874 in Washington, D.C. He produced is first hymnal in 1902 while living in Boston, MA. Throughout…
Hymn Story: Rise Up, O Men of God
William Pierson Merrill wrote “Rise up, O Men of God!” in 1911. Merrill was born on January 10, 1867 in Orange, New Jersey. He was ordained in 1890 and attended seminary working his way up…
Hymn Story: Hark, the Voice of Jesus Calling
Daniel March wrote the lyrics to “Hark, the Voice of Jesus Calling” in 1868. At the time he was a pastor in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Asked to speak at an associational meeting, he learned shortly before…
Hymn Story: The King’s Business
Elijah Taylor Cassel wrote “The King’s Business” in 1902. Cassel was born on November 27, 1849 in Indiana. At a young age his family moved to Nebraska. He completed a medical education and practiced in…
Hymn Story: We’ve A Story to Tell to the Nations
“We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations” was written by Henry Ernest Nichol, a British civil engineering student and musician. He was born on December 10, 1862 in Hull, Yorkshire, England. He wrote around…
Patriotic Song: Only in America
The 4th of July will be here in a few days. Brooks & Dunn released the song on their June 2001 album Steers & Stripes. Kix Brooks co-wrote the song with Don Cook and Ronnie…
Hymn Story: Jesus! What a Friend of Sinners!
Jesus! What a Friend of Sinners! was written by J. Wilbur Chapman and first published in 1910. Chapman was born in 1859 in Richmond, Indiana and attended a Quaker Day School and Methodist Sunday School…
Hymn Story: Take Thou My Hand, O Father
Happy Father’s Day! Take Thou My Hand, O Father was written by Julie Katharina von Hausmann, a Baltic German Poet (born 1825). Daughter of a teacher she became a governess until ill health forced her…
Hymn Story: No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus
“No one ever cared for me like Jesus” was written by Charles Weigle, an itinerant evangelist. The song was written after a very dark period in his life, when his wife left him. She decided…
Hymn Story: Ivory Palaces
Famous evangelist Dr. J. Wilbur Chapman preached at Montreat (Presbyterian conference grounds) in Western, NC in the summer of 1915. He spoke on Psalm 45 and referenced a book he’d written in 1893 Ivory Palaces…
Memorial Day Song: Color Me America
In celebration of Memorial Day tomorrow, I thought I’d share this song (Color Me America) by Dolly Parton from her 2003 album For God and Country.
Hymn Story: Jesus and His Love
“Jesus and His Love” is a hymn that I heard at the end of a Little House on the Prairie episode (The Gift). It is a hymn that is new to me and seems to…
Hymn Story: Motherhood, Sublime, Eternal
Happy Mother’s Day! “Motherhood Sublime Eternal” is a hymn about motherhood that was reportedly inspired by theology of Catholic nun Julian of Norwich (1342-1416). The words to the hymn were written by Julian Stearns Cutler…
Song Story: God Save the King (Queen)
Yesterday, a new British monarch was crowned in Westminster Abbey. A historic event for anymore under the age of seventy, who had never known another ruler before the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September…
Hymn Story: Glory to His Name
Glory to His Name is often known by its first line “Down at the Cross Where My Savior died.” The hymn was written by Elisha A. Hoffman and first published in 1878. It is believed…
Hymn Story: Covered by the Blood
Covered by the Blood was written in 1904 by Nellie Edwards. The music was provided by Ran C. Story. I’ve been unable to find any additional information on either the lyricist or hymn writer.
Hymn Story: O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
“O Sacred Head, Now Wounded” is considered a Christian Passion hymn. It is based on a long Latin poem “Salve mundi salutare” from the Middle Ages. Each of the seven stanzas addresses various part’s of…
Easter Hymn: He Arose
He Arose is often known by its first line “Low in the grave He lay” or the last line “Hallelujah! Christ arose!” The verse is known for its dirge or slowness while the chorus is…
Hymn Story: In the Cross of Christ I Glory
“In the Cross of Christ I Glory” was written by Sir John Bowring. He was born in 1792 in Exeter, England and a gifted linguist mastering thirteen languages. In 1854, he was knighted by Queen…
Song Story: Thank You Lord For Your Many Blessings On Me
I was able to find very little about this song, Thank You Lord For your Many Blessings on Me, other than it was written and performed by Jeff and Sheri Easter. The message is so…