Anthony Johnson Showalter is a legend in the gospel music world! When two old students of his both lost a spouse, Showalter reminded them of a Scripture that could give them help and hope. This led him to start writing a song, which his friend Elisha Hoffman finished off. This simple song of faith has meant a lot to many Christians over the years! Perhaps it will become one of your favourites too.

One of the great hymns of God's love was written by Charles Gabriel, musician and songwriter alongside the great evangelist Billy Sunday. These words about "Jesus the Nazarene" and his wonderful, marvelous love have captured millions.

When Rufus McDaniel's son died, he wrote a song that spoke about the hope he had in Jesus. Sending it off to a popular evangelistic songwriter of the day, his song became an instant classic and one of the most joyful gospel songs of all!

A powerful hymn of praise, written as a paraphrase of Psalm 103 by the same man who wrote Abide With Me. What a great hymn!

A great carol written in 1849 by Rev. Edmund Sears of Massachusetts, which looks back at the first Christmas, explains how Christmas is relevant today, and looks forward to re-singing the angels' song in the new heavens and new earth.

Charles Wesley wrote "Hark How All the Welkin Rings", but that line and some other lyrics were changed over the years. Still, this is surely one of the most in depth and powerful Christmas carols ever written!

One of the great Christmas songs, written by a minister after he spent a Christmas in Bethlehem and observed it's still, silent beauty.

A classic hymn written by a Unitarian hymnwriter, based on Jacob's ladder in Genesis 28. It's controversial because it doesn't mention Jesus, but it is still a wonderful song of God's closeness through life's ups and downs.

The great Doxology which so many of us have sung was composed by Thomas Kent as the closing verse to three different hymns, written for schoolboys to develop a rich devotional life. How this song has spread and touched lives!!

The great Fanny Crosby wrote "Pass Me Not" when hearing the cry of an inmate during prison ministry. Her words have come to mean a lot to many people, reminding us that when we call out in humble trust, our Lord never passes us by!

A classic Charles Wesley hymn which he wrote on the occasion of his conversion. Methodists and other Christians have long found this to be a moving and powerful hymn to sing, because we can all relate to Wesley's awe in the amazing love of Christ who died for us sinners.

Today I want to honour my friend who inspired my Friday Classic Hymns series, which has made my YouTube channel grow about 200%. Thanks Bruce!

The last words of a dying preacher inspired his colleague to write "stand up stand up for Jesus".

The father of gospel music, Thomas A. Dorsey, wrote the classic hymn 'Take My Hand Precious Lord' while dealing with a great personal tragedy.

A brilliant classic hymn about flying away to heaven and being freed from earth's shackles! But does it glorify death, and deny life's goodness? Hear the story of Alfred E. Brumley writing this song and let's look at the lyrics and then sing it together.

This classic hymn has a tragic story of loss and heartache - but through it all, the author Louis M.R. Stead found that trusting Jesus was the answer! She also became a missionary to my own country of South Africa.

A Sunday School teacher named James M. Black met a lost young girl and invited her to his class. Her absence at one of their future lessons led to this classic hymn about our names being read out one day in glory! Hear the story and a deep look at the words in today's episode.

Philip P. Bliss was a brilliant singer and hymnwriter whose life came to a tragic end shortly after writing this classic hymn about Christ the Man of sorrows. Hear the story, and a deep look at his lyrics, on today's episode.

Today's Friday Classic Hymn is "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing". A lovely song written by an earnest Christian man named Robert Robinson, who ended up losing his way. Hear the story, the song, and the meaning of the lyrics on today's episode here.

A favorite classic hymn with roots in the American civil war. A liberal (for the day) woman wrote these stirring words about the second coming of Christ, using lots of imagery from Revelation. What a powerful and moving song! Hear the history, an analysis of the lyrics, and a performance of all 6 original verses on today's episode.