what are the lyrics to jesus keep me near the cross

“My dear friend: It is more than fifty years ago that our acquaintance and friendship began and ever since that time I have watched your continuous and interested labor in uplifting humanity, and pointing out the way to an appreciation of God’s goodness and mercy.

On her 85th birthday, she received a letter from President Grover Cleveland who wrote: 5 Fanny’s gifts attracted the attention of many prominent people, including U.S. In addition to hymn writing, Fanny was active as a devotional speaker and counselor until she was over 90 years old. At one point, she was under contract to produce three hymns per week and while so doing, she still provided hymns for her composer friends, Bradbury, Root, Doane, Lowry, Sankey, and others.” 4 “As the years went by name became a magic formula for success to music composers and publishers. It was a success, and Fanny realized that hymn writing was God’s call on her life. 3įanny was in her 40s when she was asked by composer William Bradbury to write her first hymn. 2 In 1859, Fanny married Alexander Van Alstyne, a blind musician who also taught at the School for the Blind. After graduating, Fanny stayed at the School for the Blind as a teacher for over 10 years, she taught English grammar, rhetoric, and Roman and American history. She started by writing words for secular songs, and she earned significant royalties (particularly for her popular song Rosalie, The Prairie Flower). By age 15, she entered the New York City School for the Blind where she began to develop her talent. I might not have sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been distracted by the beautiful and interesting things about me.” 1įanny began writing verses at the age of eight. If perfect earthly sight were offered me tomorrow I would not accept it. “It seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life, and I thank him for the dispensation. Despite being blind (at just six weeks of age, she was blinded by improper treatment of an eye infection), Fanny composed around 8,000 hymns during her lifetime.

Fanny Crosby is arguably America’s best known hymn writer.

What are the lyrics to jesus keep me near the cross