Behind the Hymn Sunday: To God Be the Glory

Fanny Crosby

To God Be the Glory was written by Fanny Crosby around 1875. She originally titled the hymn “Praise for Redemption.”

William Doane composed the music to go with Fanny Crosby’s lyrics. The hymn first appeared in the Brightest and Best Hymnal, which was compiled by William Doane and Robert Lowry in 1875. The song was not much a big hit when it was first published.
In 1952, Rev. Billy Graham was preaching his crusades in the United Kingdom. The crusades placed considerable

William Doane

strain on Rev. Graham as he dealt with a multitude of situations. Rev. Frank Colquhoun came across this hymn. Rev. Colquhoun gave Cliff Barrows a copy of To God Be the Glory, while Rev. Barrows was preparing for the London Crusades. For the next three months the song was sung every night in the crowded Harringay Arena. The hymn has become very popular since being introduced and used so extensively at these crusades.