Franny J. Crosby was an American hymn writer and poet, writing over 9,000 hymns during her lifetime along with many secular songs, cantatas, and lyrical productions of various kinds. During the era of "gospel song" (1870-1920), Fanny Crosby's popular ballads reigned supreme. Her hymns are still sung today all over the world.
Franny was born into a poor family in Putnam county, New York on May 24, 1820. She became ill as an infant, causing her eyes to inflame. Living in a small town where there was no doctor, the family was desperate for help. A stranger, claiming to be a doctor, treated Fanny, putting a police on her eyes, claiming it would draw the infection out. Instead, as her eyes cleared, white scar tissue began to form over her eyes, and Fanny was to remain blind the rest of her life. A few months later, Fanny's father fell ill and died.
These tragic events might have scarred most children for life, but it was not so for Fanny. Her mother had to find work, so she left Fanny with her grandmother, Eunice. Eunice was determined that Fanny wouldn't grow up to be helpless. She wanted the girl to learn to be independent
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and capable of supporting herself. Eunice verbally taught Fanny all about the world around her, describing her surroundings in great detail. This led Fanny to have a great love of nature. She also required Fanny to exercise her mind by having her memorize the entire Bible, along with poetry of the day. This store of knowledge would help Fanny the rest of her life. (Ref 1)
One of her most famous poem is BLESSED ASSURANCE JESUS IS MINE.
" Blessed Assurance" was composed by two of the most prolific Christian hymn writers in history. The lyrics come from a woman with over 8000 hymns to her credit and the music comes from the organ of a lady with over 500 hymns to her credit. One day, Fanny Crosby was visiting her dear friend, Phoebe Knapp. She played a tune for Fanny and asked her afterwards, "What does it say to you, Fanny?" Her reply was simple: "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine." This hymn is still being played on the church organ in thousands of churches still today.
Despite being blind, Fanny Crosby’s impact on Christian hymns was tremendous. She once described how her blindness affected her songs. "I verily believe that God intended that I should live my days in physical darkness so that I might be better prepared to sing His praise and lead others from spiritual darkness into eternal light. With sight I would have been too distracted to have written thousands of hymns." Without Fanny’s faith and Phoebe’s organ, songs such as "Blessed Assurance" would have never been written. (Ref 2)
Blessed Assurance
(1) Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
Chorus: This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
(2) Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending bring from above,
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
(3)Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest;
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.
Some of her other works include:
- "All the Way My Savior Leads Me"--bef. 1875, music by Robert Wadsworth Lowry
- "Blessed Assurance"--1873, music by Phoebe Knapp
- "The Bright Forever"--1871, music by Hubert P. Main
- "Close to Thee"--1874, music by Silas J. Vail
- "Jesus Is Tenderly Calling You Home"--1883, music by George C. Stebbins
- "I Am Thine, O Lord"--bef. 1875, music by W. Howard Doane
- "My Savior First of All"--1891, music by John R. Sweney
- "Near the Cross"--bef. 1869, music by W. Howard Doane
- "Pass Me Not, O Gentle Saviour"--1868, music by W. Howard Doane
- "Praise Him, Praise Him"--bef. 1869, music by Chester G. Allen
- "Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It]]"--bef. 1882, William J. Kirkpatrick
- "Rescue the Perishing"--1869, music by W. Howard Doane
- "Safe in the Arms of Jesus"--1878, music by W. Howard Doane
- "Saviour, More Than Life to Me"--1875, music by W. Howard Doane
- "Tell Me the Story of Jesus"--bef. 1880, music by John R. Sweney
- "To God Be the Glory"--1875, music by W. Howard Doane
- "Draw me Nearer"--1875, words by Fanny Crosby (Ref 3)
Her testimony is truely amazing and I LOVE HER SONGS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib21KKfatUY&feature=related
Sources
1. http://www.essortment.com/fanny-j-crosby-biography-20556.html
2. http://www.gospelpiano.com/articles/hymn-stories-19-blessed-assurance.htm
