There are many gospel songs that make me think of Pap. “Draw Me Nearer” written by Fanny Crosby is certainly one of them.
I grew up singing the old hymn in church as well as hearing Pap and his brother Ray sing the song.
Since Crosby wrote so many wonderful gospel songs I’ve long been familiar with her name, but only recently learned she used many pseudonyms in her writings.
Here’s a bit of her history from the Hymnary.org website.
Pseudonyms: A.V., Mrs. A. E. Andrews, Mrs. E. A. Andrews, Mrs. E. L. Andrews, James L. Black, Henrietta E. Blair, Charles Bruce, Robert Bruce, Leah Carlton, Eleanor Craddock, Lyman G. Cuyler, D.H.W., Ella Dare, Ellen Dare, Mrs. Ellen Douglass, Lizzie Edwards. Miss Grace Elliot, Grace J. Frances, Victoria Frances, Jennie Garnett, Frank Gould, H. D. K., Frances Hope, Annie L. James, Martha J. Lankton [Langton], Grace Lindsey, Maud Marion, Sallie Martin, Wilson Meade, Alice Monteith, Martha C. Oliver, Mrs. N. D. Plume, Kate Smiley, Sallie Smith, J. L. Sterling, John Sterling, Julia Sterling, Anna C. Storey, Victoria Stuart, Ida Scott Taylor, Mary R. Tilden, Mrs. J. B. Thresher, Hope Tryaway, Grace Tureman, Carrie M. Wilson, W.H.D.
Frances Jane Crosby, the daughter of John and Mercy Crosby, was born in Southeast, Putnam County, N. Y., March 24, 1820. She became blind at the age of six weeks from maltreatment of her eyes during a spell of sickness. When she was eight years old she moved with her parents to Ridgefield, Conn., the family remaining there four years. At the age of fifteen she entered the New York Institution for the Blind, where she received a good education. She became a teacher in the institution in 1847, and continued her work until March 1, 1858. She taught English grammar, rhetoric and American history.
This was the great developing period in her life. During the vacations of 1852 and 1853, spent at North Reading, Mass., she wrote the words to many songs for Dr. Geo. F. Root, then the teacher of music at the blind institution. Among them were, “Hazel Dell,”, “The Honeysuckle Glen,” “Rosalie, the Prairie Flower,” “Music in the Air,” “Proud World, Good-bye, I’m Going Home,” “All Together”, “Never Forget the Dear Ones,” and others. Subsequently she wrote the words for the cantatas of The Flower Queen and The Pilgrim Fathers, all of which were very popular in their day, though it was not generally known at the time that she was the author.
While teaching at the institution she met Presidents Van Buren and Tyler, Hon. Henry Clay, Governor Wm. H. Seward, General Winfield Scott, and other distinguished characters of American history. Concerning Mr. Clay, she gives the following: “When Mr. Clay came to the institution during his last visit to New York, I was selected to welcome him with a poem. Six months before he had lost a son at the battle of Monterey, and I had sent him some verses. In my address I carefully avoided any allusion to them, in order not to wound him. When I had finished he drew my arm in his, and, addressing the audience, said through his tears: ‘This is not the first poem for which I am indebted to this lady. Six months ago she sent me some lines on the death of my dear son.’ Both of us were overcome for a few moments. Soon, by a splendid effort, Mr. Clay recovered himself, but I could not control my tears.” In connection with her meeting these notable men, we might add that Miss Fanny Crosby had the honor of being the first woman whose voice was heard publicly in the Senate Chamber at Washington. She read a poem there on one occasion. In addition to the thousands of hymns that she has written (about eight thousand poems in all), many of which have not been set to music, she has published four volumes of verses. The first was issued in 1844 and was entitled The Blind Girl, and Other Poems, a second volume, Monterey, and Other Poems, followed in 1849, and the third, A Wreath of Columbia’s Flowers, in 1858. The fourth, Bells at Evening and Other Verses, with a biographical sketch by Rev. Robert Lowry, and a fine half-tone portrait, in 1897, the sales of which have reached a fourth edition. The book is published by The Biglow & Main Co., New York.
Though these show the poetical bent of her mind, they have little to do with her world-wide fame. It is as a writer of Sunday-school songs and gospel hymns that she is known wherever the English language is spoken, and, in fact, wherever any other language is heard.
Fanny was married March 5, 1858, to Alex. Van Alstyne, who was also a scholar in the same institution in which she was educated.
She began to write Sunday-school hymns for Wm. B. Bradbury in 1864. Her first hymn,
“We are going, we are going
To a home beyond the skies”,
was written at the Ponton Hotel on Franklin Street, New York City, on February 5th of that year. This hymn was sung at Mr. Bradbury’s funeral in January, 1868. Since 1864 she supported herself by writing hymns. She resided in New York City nearly all her life, where, she says, she is “a member of the Old John Street M. E. Church in good standing.” She spent regular hours on certain days at the office of The Biglow & Main Co., the firm for which she did most of her writing, and for whom she has composed over four thousand hymns. Her hymns have been in great demand and have been used by many of our most popular composers, among whom may be mentioned Wm. B. Bradbury, Geo. F. Root, W. H. Doane, Rev. Robert Lowry, Ira D. Sankey, J. R. Sweney, W. J. Kirkpatrick, H. P. Main, H. P. Danks, Philip Phillips, B. G. Unseld, and others. She could compose at any time and did not need to wait for any special inspiration, and her best hymns have come on the spur of the moment. She always composed with an open book in her hand, generally a copy of Golden Hymns, held closely over her eyes, bottom side up. She learned to play on the guitar and piano while at the institution, and has a clear soprano voice. She also received a technical training in music, and for this reason she could, and did, compose airs for some of her hymns. One of these is,
“Jesus, dear, I come to Thee,
Thou hast said I may,”
both words and music of which are wonderfully sweet. “Safe in the arms of Jesus”, probably one of her best known hymns, was her own favorite. Fanny loved her work, and was happy in it. She was always ready either to sympathize or join in a mirthful conversation, as the case may be. The secret of this contentment dates from her first composition at the age of eight years. “It has been the motto of my life,” she says. It is:
“O what a happy soul am I!
Although I cannot see,
I am resolved that in this world
Contented I will be;”
This has continued to be her philosophy. She says that had it not been for her affliction she might not have so good an education, nor so great an influence, and certainly not so fine a memory. She knows a great many portions of the Bible by heart, and had committed to memory the first four books of the Old Testament, and also the four Gospels before she was ten years of age.
Her scope of subjects is wide, embracing everything from a contemplation of heaven, as in “The Bright Forever” and “The Blessed Homeland”, to an appeal to the work of this world, as in “To the Work” and “Rescue the Perishing.” The most of Fanny’s published hymns have appeared under the name of Fanny J. Crosby or Mrs. Yan Alstyne, but quite a large number have appeared under the nom de plumes of Grace J. Frances, Mrs. C. M. Wilson, Lizzie Edwards, Ella Dale, Henrietta E. Blair, Rose Atherton, Maud Marion, Leah Carlton, nearly two hundred different names.
-Biographies of Gospel Song and Hymn Writers (excerpts)
Fanny Crosby’s life is very inspiring. I admire her creative talent but also her strength and perseverance in the face of being blind. I also find it fascinating that she used so many different pseudonyms.
Here’s a video of the girls doing one of my favorite Fanny Crosby songs “Draw Me Nearer.”
I hope you enjoyed the song! When Chatter hits that high harmony on the chorus I’m reminded of Pap.
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IF I HAVE SAID IT ONCE I HAVE SAID IT A HUNDRED TIMES, I JUST LOVE THE TALENT YOU YOUNG LADIES HAVE. I ALWAYS SAVE THESE POSTS IN THE NEW EMAIL SO I CAN LISTEN TO THEM OVER N OVER.
Thank you Tipper for all the information on Fannie Crosby. Many of her hymns can be found in the Baptist Hymnal. This one is one of my favorites. Although an upbeat and peppy hymn, the chorus always brings me gratitude and tears to my eyes. I love every musical thin that Chitter and Chatter do. Love them
Love her story and her songs
What an inspiring lady she still is. I learned that hymn back in the 50s as a wee girl. The twins harmony is spot on, as usual.
Good morning and Happy New Year! Thanks for including me with your posts. YES, that is a blessing; our loved ones have just gone on ahead; just for a little while. I have a precious friend I still ache for; passed June 14th, 11 (now almost 12) years ago; Virgil Denton. He, his wife, Diane, her sister, Mary Ann, and her husband, Danny were the Singing Dentons. The song that ALWAYS touched me the way this song touches you (and me and SOOOO many others) was, Thank you Lord. It starts, “For making the sun to shine, for putting the stars in the sky, for flowers that bloom, the earth and the moon, Thank you Lord. For sparrows that sing, and make sweet melody, shoes on my feet, plenty to eat, Thank you Lord. And I’m thankful for You!
Thank you for this wonderful information on Fanny Crosby. I have sung her hymns in church all my life but did not know much about her other than that she wrote lots of hymns and that she was blind. I enjoyed learning more about her and praise God for working through her life to bring many to Himself.
Beautiful! I always enjoy the education and music!
I am missing you on YT hope all y’all are doing well. A lot of our family is down with something. I pray y’all are resting and no one is sick.
God bless all!
Thank you for the history on Ms.Crosby. God surely used her and gave her a great gift. You girls continue to help me with my music. I try to play these old hymns in our little church on fiddle and mandolin. Just a little something to glorify God’s name I hope.
My grt-gndpa, John Clay Carroll, of Blairsville was a published gospel songwriter. I have an old songbook with one of his songs in it. “Little Orphan Child”….He died 1911 of diphtheria. John was a schoolteacher as well as a songwriter. He died while his new house was being built on what is now Haralson Dr. but was the Murphy Rd at that time. The house was still standing when I moved back to Blairsville 20 years ago but is gone now.
I remember singing this one in church growing up. it has always amazed me how much these old hymns stick with us. I always seem to start out thinking that I’m not sure I remember any of the words, but once we start singing so much of it comes flooding back. There is something kind of special knowing that we are singing the same words that people were singing 200 years ago. it gives us a sense of connection to them that I love to think about.
Doug, I refer to this as standing the test of time. I wonder how many of today’s so called religious songs people will be singing 200 years from now, if God has not came back. At church this morning I was telling someone about the BP&A, and the old time hymns and they mentioned listening to a religious song this week that had about 4 words that was repeated over and over. At least it would be easy to remember. My church still sings the old hymns, one of the songs this morning was “Victory In Jesus”. This is one of my favorites, “The Old Rugged Cross” is another favorite.
Morning, Tipper! Once again I read this in my e mail and see you have educated me along with your followers. What a fantastic inspiration Fanny is to all of us!! I was impressed with how many hymns she has written, but to memorize so much of the Bible is astounding!! She may have been blind, but she definitely didn’t let it hold her back. So, once more you have educated your followers. Bless your heart, Tipper, your family, and all the people who find you so interesting with what you share that they come back daily as I do. Hoping Granny is doing good.
That is a beautiful song to start this Sunday off with. All of Fanny Crosby’s songs speak directly to my heart.
That was a beautiful song and the girls did Fannie Crosby proud!!! I learned a lot today about Fannie Crosby (and might I add she left behind an impressive biography!) She had more “aliases” than about anybody ever!!! As I sit here with a tear or two welling up because the girls sang and played so “PURTY” I was moved, I have to wonder if they ever use David’s instruments he left them after his passing. Thank you, Tipper, for a Sunday hymn and some learning too! You are a born instructor and teacher I must say! God bless us all this snowy Sunday. It warmed up (as mommy used to say) and now it’s spitting down quarter size flakes in squalls… nothing steady or impressive here in southern WV this am. I hope you and your honey are warm by the fire!!!
To all you folks who are members of Tipper’s “Tribe,” good morning – and thank you every one for being such a source of faith, humor, memories, stories and learning as you are to me. I don’t post often and am a newbie compared to many of you but I do so enjoy reading all your comments.
And, Tipper, a very good morning to you and your family, as well. Wish I could twitch my nose and bring you to my house this morning: It’s snowing! Has been coming down steadily since late yesterday afternoon and is expected to snow all day. This is the dry, powdery stuff – not good for snowmen; is very good for snow cream! I have a lot of evergreen trees visible to me – fir, spruce, pine – and they’re beautiful. Even the bare trees are looking like lace with every limb, branch and tiny twig holding its load of snow. We’re not getting blizzard conditions, thankfully, and as there’s no wind, no drifts which can make for dangerous driving. Temp is 22 with a wind chill of 16 plus we’ve been asked to stay off the road if at all possible so I’m going to church on-line today. I’m in northern New York (just north of the Adirondack Mountains park Blue Line boundary) in the St Lawrence River valley. Ottawa Canada is the nearest big city to me at about and hour and a half away. From Sand Mountain Alabama to the Adirondack Mountains in New York with a five year stop in the Smoky Mountains, guess I really am a mountain woman and, certainly an Appalachian woman at heart if no longer physically.
Have a wonderful day, folks.
Great old hymn and the girls did a fine job! There is nothing like the old hymns and singing out of a hymn book. That’s all I have ever known. Fanny Crosby was an amazing talented lady. Thank you for sharing her song and history this morning. Have a blessed Sunday everyone!!
What a remarkable woman Fanny Crosby was. Her gospel songs have touched and blessed so many through the years. The girls certainly did a wonderful job with that song.
Redeemed how I love to proclaim it, redeemed by the blood of the lamb, redeemed by his infinite mercy, his child and forever I am. One of my favorites written by the great Fanny Crosby. What a wonderful testimony she had using her handicap for the glory of God.
Also enjoyed the girls song. Blessings and prayers to all.
Let’s go worship! Blessings to all.
Amen and amen. Lovely song and lovely singers. Fanny’s life showed God’s grace and she well knew it, though when she came to know may not have been recorded since she lost her vision so young. Another of her songs that is a favorite of mine is “Blessed Assurance”. The story I read about it is that her friend Mrs. Knapp told her one day, “I have had this tune in my head all day.” She played it and asked, “What does that sound like?” And Fanny promptly said, “Blessed assurance!” It would be astonishing to know how many lives were touched (so far!) by her songs. Those old, durable songs are themselves a testament to the grace in the hearts of those who wrote them.
Thanks so much for the history of this great woman. What a remarkable individual she was. I am very familiar with the song since is was sang probably almost every week at one of the four weekly services at my Baptist church. I loved the girl’s performance. Bless you all in 2024.
Thank you so much for the info on Fannie Crosby. I love her hymns and the girls rendition of Drae Me Nearer helped in setting the tone for this Lord’s day.
One of my all time favorite hymns. She has always been a favorite hymn writer but I never knew until now how many she wrote. Her attitude is a fine example that our world needs today.
Another one of my favorite hymns. I am Southern Baptist, the hymns we sing at church come from the The Baptist Hymn Book. I never considered how many of our most often sung songs were written by Fanny Crosby. I have often heard that Fanny said the same thing Skylar wrote in his comment.
The use of many pen names,
I do not understand.
But, I do it also,
Because I know I can!
The girls are in fine tune this Sunday morning! Very fitting, thanks for not forgetting the “oldies”.
That is a beautiful hymn and the girls do a lovely job singing and playing it. The comment about Fanny looking forward to seeing the face of Jesus is so touching—Oh, if we could all be so positive.
Generational talent. Will be great to see the babies develop their talents.
I read once that Fanny Crosby said she never despaired of being blind because she knew the first face she would ever see is Jesus. Every time I think about that I tear up!
Always enjoy the ‘girl’s’ singing and playing. As far as the old hymnals…you can’t beat them. I enjoy a little of the ‘new’ stuff that seems to draw the younger crowd, but there is NOTHING like the old stuff. Once you lean them, you just can’t seem to ‘unlearn’ them. I have already started to line up the seeds for this year and can’t wait to ‘put them in’. Prayers for Granny and you guys. Stay warm and safe and well. God Bless.
God bless you friends of Appalachia God bless Granny Louzine Wilson with healing and health in Jesus name