The words and music of this Easter song are by Rev. Robert Lowry, written while he was pastor of a Baptist church in Brooklyn, N. Y.
Lowry was a faithful and successful minister of the Gospel, but is more widely known as a composer of sacred music. “I felt a sort of meanness when I began to be known as a composer,” he said. His first love was preaching. Music was to him a “side issue,” and the making and delivery of a sermon ranked far above the writing of a hymn. He is the author of the popular song, “Where is my wandering boy tonight,” and wrote the tune to “I need Thee every hour,” and edited many successful Sunday school and evangelistic hymn books.
For further comments on Lowry see [Hymn 187].
453. I know that my Redeemer liveth
Jessie H. Brown, 1861-1921
A popular Easter song based on Job 19:25: “I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.”
Jessie H. Brown was born in Hiram, a college suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. Due to ill health in childhood, she gained most of her education at home. At 15 years of age, she began to write for Cleveland newspapers and religious weeklies and for many years wrote hymns for Fillmore Bros. In 1896 she married Rev. John E. Pounds, at that time pastor of the Central Christian Church in Indianapolis, and later college pastor at Hiram. Her early poems bear her maiden name, while the later ones ([No. 498], for example) are signed “Jessie B. Pounds.” She is the author of 9 books, 50 librettos for cantatas and operettas, and nearly 400 hymns. Her best known song poems are “Anywhere with Jesus, I can safely go,” “The way of the Cross leads home,” “Beautiful Isle of Somewhere,” and the present, “I know that my Redeemer liveth.” The latter appeared first in an Easter cantata entitled, Hope’s Messenger.
MUSIC. FILLMORE was composed by James H. Fillmore who was born June 1, 1849, in Cincinnati, Ohio, into a musical family. After his father’s death, James headed the Fillmore music publishing business in Cincinnati for many years. His compositions include numerous popular titles: “I am resolved,” “I know that my Redeemer liveth,” “Only waiting,” and many more.
454. O the unsearchable riches of Christ
Fanny J. Crosby, 1820-1915