Ira Sankey was so moved by Elizabeth Clephane’s poem that he clipped it from a newspaper while on an evangelistic crusade with Dwight L. Moody. In that evening’s service, when Moody offered the invitation, he wanted a different hymn played. Sankey, seated at the organ, pulled out the clipping and began to play.
Being an invitation hymn in the gospel song tradition, it has tended to be played at a slow tempo in a meditative style. This version, however, is based on Doc Watson’s arrangement, which has a much peppier feel. This recording is from Picking the Faith.
My thanks to Deb Phelps and DisciplesNet Church for creating this video and for using it in DisciplesNet Worship #158 for September 22, 2013.