This hymn was composed in only half an hour on Apr 30, 1868. Howard Doane went to Fanny’s apartment on that day and said, “I have exactly forty minutes before I must meet a train for Cincinnati. I have a tune for you. See if it says anything to you. Perhaps you can commit it to memory and then compose a poem to match it”. He then hummed the tune to her.
Fanny exclaimed, “Why, that says, ‘Safe in the arms of Jesus!'” Fanny prayed, and within half and hour, she had finished writing and dictating the poem to Doane, who rushed off to catch his train.
This hymn is especially comforting to the bereaved.
Lyrics: Fanny J. Crosby
Music: William H. Doane
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!
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 o’er;
Wait till I see the morning
Break on the golden shore.
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