It Is Well With My Soul: The Story Behind the Hymn
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It Is Well With My Soul is one of the most beloved hymns of all time. But what is the story behind this beautiful song? In this blog post, we explore the history of this hymn and what it means to those who sing it.
Horatio Spafford was born in New York in 1828. His father was a successful businessman, and the family was prominent in the city. Spafford was a bright student and attended Yale University. After graduation, he married and had four children. In 1871, tragedy struck the Spafford family.
His early life
Horatio G. Spafford was born in New York City on October 20, 1828, the third of five children. His parents, Ann and Gilbert Spafford, were both from successful New England families with a strong history of involvement in the Revolutionary War. Horatio’s grandfathers on both sides were soldiers in the Continental Army, and his father had served in the New York State Legislature. Gilbert Spafford was a prosperous real estate lawyer and businessman, and the family lived in a comfortable home on Broome Street in Manhattan.
Horatio was a bright and precocious child. He began reading at an early age and was particularly interested in the Bible. He was also an excellent student, and when he was just eleven years old, his father sent him to live with an uncle in Troy, New York, so that he could attend the prestigious Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Horatio excelled at his studies and graduated second in his class in 1849.
The tragedy that led him to write the hymn
On November 23, 1871, the steamship Ville du Havre was consumed by fire and sunk off the coast of Wales. A total of 226 people perished in the accident, including Horatio Spafford and his wife Anna’s four young daughters.
The family had been planning to travel to Europe for a much-anticipated vacation. They had already delays and setbacks, but Anna was insistent on going.Horatio was delayed on business in New York and planned to join them later.
It was while he was crossing the Atlantic that he received news of the shipwreck. All four of his daughters had drowned. When he arrived in England, he went immediately to Wales, but it was too late. He could only view their bodies before they were buried at sea.
Shattered by grief, Spafford returned home to Chicago. On his way back across the Atlantic, he passed near the spot where his daughters had died. As he looked out over the water, he was inspired to write the words to what would become one of the most loved hymns of all time: It Is Well With My Soul.
The hymn’s composer, Philip Bliss
The hymn, “It Is Well With My Soul,” was written by Philip Bliss in 1876. Bliss was born in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, on July 9, 1838. He was raised in a devout Christian home and converted to Christianity at the age of sixteen.
His early life
Philip Bliss was born on December 9, 1838, in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania. Bliss showed an aptitude for music at an early age and began playing the violin when he was just four years old. When he was 16, he started teaching music in local schools. He also played the violin in the local orchestra and sang in the church choir.
In 1856, Bliss married Lucy Joplin, and the couple had two children. Lucy died in 1862, just a few months after their second child was born. The death of his wife had a profound effect on Bliss, and he turned to music as a way to cope with his grief.
Bliss continued to teach and play music, and he eventually remarried. In 1874, he wrote the lyrics for the song “I Will Sing of My Redeemer,” which became one of his best-known hymns.
On December 29, 1876, Bliss and his family were traveling by train to Chicago when the locomotive derailed. Bliss was killed instantly, along with his wife and two daughters.
His musical career
Philip Bliss was born on January 9, 1838, in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania. The second of seven children, Bliss showed an early affinity for music. His father, a farmer and carpenter, played the fiddle and taught his children to sing and dance. At the age of eight, Bliss began taking singing lessons from a local music teacher. When he was ten years old, his family moved to Ohio, where he continued to develop his musical skills.
Bliss’ first public performance was at a church service when he was fourteen years old. He sang a solo titled “The Gospel Trumpet.” Afterward, the congregation collected money to pay for more singing lessons for him. In 1856, at the age of eighteen, Bliss left home to study music at LaPorte College in Indiana. While there, he met Lucy Youngs Sawyer, whom he married in 1858. The couple had two daughters: Eva and Marion.
After college, Bliss taught music and gave singing lessons. He also began composing songs and tunes for various publications. In 1865, he wrote the music for “Hold the Fort,” which became a popular Civil War song. In 1874, he composed the tune for “Wonderful Words of Life.” That same year, he wrote the music for “It Is Well with My Soul,” which would become one of his most famous compositions.
The hymn’s history
It Is Well With My Soul is a hymn that has been sung by Christians for many years. The hymn was written by Horatio Spafford, a man who went through great tragedy in his life. Despite all that he went through, Spafford was able to find peace in his faith. The hymn is a reminder that God is always with us, even in the darkest of times.
Its popularity
It Is Well With My Soul quickly became a popular hymn, with people of all ages and backgrounds finding comfort in its message. The hymn has been recorded by many artists over the years, including gospel singer Mahalia Jackson and country music legend Tammy Wynette. It has also been adapted into different genres, such as jazz and rock.
Its use during difficult times
During the American Civil War many hymns were written and used as anthems for each side. One of these hymns was “It Is Well With My Soul.” Philip Bliss, the composer of this hymn, wrote it in response to the sinking of the S.S. Ville de Havre. This ship was carrying many immigrants to America, and only a handful of survivors were pulled from the water. Bliss and his wife had been planning to take this same ship, but decided at the last minute to take a different one.
The hymn became popular among abolitionists and those fighting for civil rights. It has also been used during times of personal struggle and loss. When Horatio Spafford wrote the lyrics, he was going through great personal tragedy. He had lost his fortune in the Great Chicago Fire, and then shortly after, his four young daughters drowned when their ship sank. Through all of this pain and loss, Spafford held on to his faith, which is reflected in the lyrics of this hymn.
The hymn’s message of hope
It Is Well With My Soul is a popular hymn that has been sung by millions of people over the years. The hymn was written by Horatio Spafford after he experienced great tragedy in his life. Despite the pain and suffering that he went through, Spafford held onto his faith and trust in God. The message of the hymn is one of hope and comfort, and it has brought comfort to many people who are going through difficult times.
Its relevance today
It is well with my soul is a hymn that has been around for centuries and has been sung by millions of people around the world. The hymn was written by Horatio Spafford, a successful lawyer and businessman, who lost his wife, four daughters, and all his wealth in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
Despite this tragedy, Spafford remained faithful to God and penned these words as a testimony to his hope in the midst of great sorrow. The hymn is just as relevant today as it was when it was written, and its message of hope continues to offer comfort and strength to those who are going through difficult times.
