"Safe in the Arms of Jesus"

Fanny Crosby (1820-1915), the beloved Christian hymnist, wrote “Safe in the Arms of Jesus” in 1868. Crosby relates the story that “Safe in the Arms of Jesus” originated because W. Howard Doane stopped by one day for a very brief visit. He related to her that he had a melody and needed her to come up with the words, but he only had forty minutes to catch the train to Cincinnati. So, she immediately began to think of nothing else but what words to use for the song. Within 20 minutes, she told them to him, he wrote them down, and left for the train station.

W. Howard Doane (1832-1915) was a good friend of the beloved Christian hymnist Fanny Crosby’s as well as a gifted musician in his own right. He was heavily involved in Christian musical activities at his church, as well as being superintendent of Sunday School. But, his was always a layman’s position, as he held the presidency of the J.A. Faye Woodworking manufacture.

“Safe in the Arms of Jesus”

Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe on His gentle breast,

There by His love o’ershaded, sweetly my soul shall rest.

Hark! ’tis the voice of angels, borne in a song to me.

Over the fields of glory, over the jasper sea.

Refrain

Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe on His gentle breast

There by His love o’ershaded, sweetly my soul shall rest.

Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe from corroding care,

Safe from the world’s temptations, sin cannot harm me there.

Free from the blight of sorrow, free from my doubts and fears;

Only a few more trials, only a few more tears!

Refrain

Jesus, my heart’s dear Refuge, Jesus has died for me;

Firm on the Rock of Ages, ever my trust shall be.

Here let me wait with patience, wait till the night is over;

Wait till I see the morning break on the golden shore.

Refrain

It was with the help of people like Fanny Crosby and her good friend W. Howard Doane that songs like “Safe in the Arms of Jesus” were written and submitted to be published in Camp Meeting hymnals for the Dwight L. Moody evangelical camps. These kinds of songs have melodies and words that are simple to remember, but have great impact on the hearts of new believers.

“Safe in the Arms of Jesus”

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