Born to a poor but godly family Philip P. Bliss (1838—1876) learnt to cherish two things in life: his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and music. Never a day went by when Psalms or spiritual songs were not sung in the Bliss’ log cabin to the accompaniment of folk instruments. At age ten when selling vegetables door to door, bare-footed Philip heard a piano for the first time in his life and fell in love with the sound. In general he loved music but the Bliss family never had the money to afford a piano or piano lessons. But when Philip married Lucy Young, her grandmother paid for him to have music lessons at a music school. He took what he learnt and taught it to young people and went on to become a travelling musician, then Music Director and Sunday School Superintendent at their local church and he was a popular song leader for Evangelist, Major Daniel Whittle. Bliss became a noted Gospel and popular song writer and we can find his name several times over in our own Hymn books. He not only wrote just the melodies for some (as he did for "It is Well with My Soul") but he also wrote a number of the songs entirely like, "Hallelujah, What A Saviour!", and "Almost Per-suaded." He only wrote the words of today’s hymn, but he never heard it sung in this world…
In December 1876, Bliss was requested to sing at D.L. Moody’s Tabernacle in Chicago, for the New Year’s Eve service. Leaving their two little children with their grandparents, Philip and Lucy boarded the train, the Pacific Express, from Pennsylvania to Chicago. The PE ran late and was fighting its way through blinding snow storms. As it was traversing a bridge in Ohio, the bridge creaked and then collapsed pulling all 11 coaches down in to the ravine below. Philip made his way out of the crushed coach but went back in to find Lucy, and in doing so lost his own life. He was just 38 years old.
His luggage made its way to Chicago and when it was opened, the words of this newly composed hymn was found amongst his belongings. He and Lucy are surely singing of their Redeemer!
In December 1876, Bliss was requested to sing at D.L. Moody’s Tabernacle in Chicago, for the New Year’s Eve service. Leaving their two little children with their grandparents, Philip and Lucy boarded the train, the Pacific Express, from Pennsylvania to Chicago. The PE ran late and was fighting its way through blinding snow storms. As it was traversing a bridge in Ohio, the bridge creaked and then collapsed pulling all 11 coaches down in to the ravine below. Philip made his way out of the crushed coach but went back in to find Lucy, and in doing so lost his own life. He was just 38 years old.
His luggage made its way to Chicago and when it was opened, the words of this newly composed hymn was found amongst his belongings. He and Lucy are surely singing of their Redeemer!
Sing Oh sing of my Redeemer
I will sing of my redeemer
And His wondrous love to me
On the cruel Cross He suffered
From the curse to set me free
Sing Oh sing of my redeemer
With His blood He purchased me
On the Cross He sealed my pardon
Paid the debt and made me free
I will tell the wondrous story
How my lost estate to save
In His boundless love and mercy
He thee ransom freely gave
I will praise my dear Redeemer His
triumphant power I’ll tell
How the victory He giveth
Over sin and death and Hell
I will sing of my redeemer
And His wondrous love to me
On the cruel Cross He suffered
From the curse to set me free
Sing Oh sing of my redeemer
With His blood He purchased me
On the Cross He sealed my pardon
Paid the debt and made me free
I will tell the wondrous story
How my lost estate to save
In His boundless love and mercy
He thee ransom freely gave
I will praise my dear Redeemer His
triumphant power I’ll tell
How the victory He giveth
Over sin and death and Hell
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