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Line 1: − '''Horatio Gates Spafford''' was a wealthy [[Chicago]] businessman who suffered enormous personal and financial loss and wrote the hymn ''It is well with my soul''.+ + + − == Biography ==+ + + + − Spafford was born in North Troy, New York, on 20th October 1828, the son of Horatio Snr., an inventor, author, editor, and entrepreneur.<ref name="GandM">''Glimpses of Christian History''; Maxey</ref>+ + + + + + − + − Spafford's law firm was successful, and he subsequently became an elder in Fullerton Avenue Presbyterian Church.+ − He became involved with evangelists, and became close friends with [[Dwight L. Moody]].+ + + + − By 1871 they had one son and four daughters.+ − But in that year, their son died, and while they were still grieving that loss, the [[Great Chicago fire]] wiped out Stafford's business and most of his wealth.+ − Despite his own losses, he set about helping others who had suffered from the fire, putting his faith into practice.<ref name="GandM" /> − Two years later, the family set out for a holiday in [[England]].+ − They went to [[New York]] to catch the S.S. ''Ville du Havre'', but a last-minute hitch with a business deal saw Stafford return to Chicago, intending to follow later to England to rejoin his family.+ − Early in the morning of 22nd November 1873, the S.S. ''Ville du Havre'' collided with another ship, and sank in 12 minutes<ref name="GandM" />.+ − Of the 313 passengers and crew, only 61 passengers and 26 crew members survived.+ − Among the 226 who lost their lives was Stafford's four daughters. − His wife survived, and upon being taken to [[Cardiff]], cabled her husband, starting with "Saved alone".<ref name="GandM" /> − Stafford caught the next ship to [[Europe]], and according to his fifth daughter (born later), the captain of his ship told him when they were passing the site the S.S. ''Ville du Havre'' went down, and it was then that he wrote his famous hymn ''It is well with my soul''.<ref>Maxey, 2008. According to [[Ira Sankey]], Stafford wrote the hymn in 1876, but Maxey believes that Sankey was confusing this with the tune, which was written in 1876 by [[Philip Bliss]].</ref>+ + + + − == Lyrics of ''It is well with my soul'' ==+ + + + + + − :When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,+ − :When sorrows like sea billows roll;+ − :Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,+ − :It is well, it is well, with my soul.+ + + − + − :''Refrain''+ − + − :''It is well, with my soul,''+ − :''It is well, with my soul,''+ − :''It is well, it is well, with my soul.'' − − − :Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, − :Let this blest assurance control, − :That Christ has regarded my helpless estate, − :And hath shed His own blood for my soul. − − :''Refrain'' − − − :My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought! − :My sin, not in part but the whole, − :Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, − :Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! − − :''Refrain'' − − − :For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live: − :If Jordan above me shall roll, − :No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life − :Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul. − − :''Refrain'' − − − :But, Lord, ‘tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait, − :The sky, not the grave, is our goal; − :Oh trump of the angel! Oh voice of the Lord! − :Blessèd hope, blessèd rest of my soul! − − :''Refrain'' − − − :And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight, − :The clouds be rolled back as a scroll; − :The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, − :Even so, it is well with my soul. − − :''Refrain'' − − == Bibliography == − * [http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/i/t/i/itiswell.htm It is well with my soul] (Cyber Hymnal) (plays music of the hymn) − * [http://chi.gospelcom.net/GLIMPSEF/Glimpses2/glimpses210.shtml Horatio Spafford: It Is Well with My Soul] (Glimpses of Christian History) − * Asiado, Tel, [http://christianmusic.suite101.com/article.cfm/hymn_it_is_well_with_my_soul History of It is Well with My Soul], 4th October, 2007 (Suite101.com) − * Maxey, Al, [http://www.zianet.com/maxey/reflx331.htm Horatio G. Spafford, Jr.] ''Reflections'' #331, 11th January, 2008. − − == Notes == − {{reflist}} − − {{DEFAULTSORT:Spafford, Horatio}} − [[Category:Composers]]
no edit summary
A place where nobody dared to go
The love that we came to know
They call it Xanadu
And now
Open your eyes and see
What we have made is real
We are in Xanadu
A million lights are dancing
And there you are
A shooting star
An everlasting world
And you're here with me
Eternally
In 1861 Spafford married [[Norway|Norwegian]] Anna Lawson<ref name="GandM" /> and they settled north of Chicago.
Xanadu, Xanadu,
(now we are here)
In Xanadu
Xanadu, Xanadu,
(now we are here)
In Xanadu
Xanadu, your neon lights will shine
For you, Xanadu
The love
The echoes of long ago
You needed the world to know
They are in Xanadu
The dream
That came through a million years
That lived on through all the tears
It came to Xanadu
A million lights are dancing
And there you are
A shooting star
An everlasting world
And you're here with me
Eternally
Xanadu, Xanadu,
(now we are here)
In Xanadu
Xanadu, Xanadu,
(now we are here)
In Xanadu
Now that I'm here
Now that you're near in Xanadu
Now that I'm here
Now that you're near in Xanadu
Xanadu...