in Music 2,087 Words

19th-20th Century Christian Songs By Year

This post revisits a sample of Christian songs from the 19th and 20th centuries—some of which filled radio stations, living rooms, sanctuaries, and youth groups.

It is good to occasionally exit our modern atmosphere, transcend our cultural preferences, and breathe the old musical air of prior believers. It is good to appreciate the worship heart-language of previous generations of Christians.

“There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

Ephesians 4:4-6

Years are approximated to authorship, translation, or initial prominence. Linked renditions are almost always from a later time.

(In progress: adding 19th century songs.)

1819

1824

1826

1830

1834

1836

  • “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us”, by Dorothy A. Thrupp (YouTube) (lyrics)

1841

1843

1846

1847

  • “Abide with Me”, by Henry F. Lyte (YouTube) (link)

1850

1851

  • “Crown Him with Many Crowns”, by Matthew Bridges (lyrics)

1853

  • “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”, by Martin Luther (lyrics)
    • written in 1529, but the English version by Frederic H. Hedge became popular in 19th-century hymnals

1855

  • “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”, by Joseph Scriven (YouTube 1, YouTube 2)
  • “How I Love Jesus”, by Frederick Whitfield (YouTube)

1860

  • “Jesus Loves Me”, by Anna B. Warner (lyrics)

1862

  • “He Leadeth Me”, by Joseph H. Gilmore (lyrics)

1863

1864

1865

1866

  • “The Church’s One Foundation”, by Samuel J. Stone
  • “I Love to Tell the Story”, by Katherine Hankey

1867

  • “We’re Marching to Zion”, lyrics by Isaac Watts (lyrics) with 19th-century music by Robert Lowry (1867)

1868

  • “In the Sweet By and By”, lyrics by Sanford F. Bennett, music by Joseph P. Webster (YouTube)
  • “Safe in the Arms of Jesus”, by Fanny J. Crosby
  • “Beneath the Cross of Jesus”, by Elizabeth Clephane

1870

  • “Jesus Loves Even Me”, by Philip P. Bliss (YouTube) (lyrics)

1871

  • “Let the Lower Lights Be Burning”, by Phillip Bliss (YouTube) (lyrics)

1872

  • “I Need Thee Every Hour”, by Annie S. Hawks (lyrics)
  • “I Shall Be Whiter than Snow”, by James Nicholson (lyrics)

1873

  • “It Is Well with My Soul”, by Horatio Spafford
  • “Blessed Assurance”, by Fanny J. Crosby

1874

  • “Take My Life and Let It Be”, by Frances R. Havergal (lyrics)

1875

  • “Hallelujah, What a Savior” (“Man of Sorrows!”), by Philip P. Bliss
  • “To God Be the Glory”, by Fanny J. Crosby
  • “Peace, Perfect Peace”, by Edward Bickersteth, Jr. (YouTube)
  • “All the Way My Savior Leads Me”, by Fanny J Crosby and Robert Lowry (YouTube)

1876

  • “Tell It To Jesus”, by Edmund Lorenz (YouTube)

1878

  • “Are You Washed In The Blood”, by Elisha Hoffman (YouTube)
  • “Glory to His Name”, by Elisha Hoffman (YouTube)

1882

  • “O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go”, by George Matheson (lyrics)

1883

  • “Jesus Is Tenderly Calling You Home”, by Fanny J. Crosby (lyrics)

1886

  • “Standing On The Promises”, by R. Kelso Carter
  • “Trust and Obey”, lyrics by John H. Sammis, music by Daniel B. Towner (YouTube)

1887

  • “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”, by Elisha A. Hoffman (lyrics)

1889

  • “We’ll Never Say Goodbye”, by Anzentia Chapman (YouTube)

1891

  • “Saved by Grace”, lyrics by Fanny J. Crosby, music by George C. Stebbins (YouTube)

1895

  • “No, Not One”, by Johnson Oatman (YouTube)

1896

  • “I Surrender All”, lyrics by Judson W. Van DeVenter, music by Winfield S. Weeden (YouTube) (lyrics)

1897

  • “Never Alone”, lyrics by L.L. Pickett, music by L. Mason (YouTube)

1898

  • “Higher Ground”, by lyrics by Johnson Oatman, music by and Charles Gabriel (YouTube)

1900

1902

1904

1905

1906

  • “His Eye Is on the Sparrow”, lyrics by Civilla Durfee Martin, music by Charles H. Gabriel (YouTube 1, YouTube 2)

1908

  • “Just When I Need Him Most”, lyrics by William Poole, music by Charles H. Gabriel (YouTube)

1910

1911

  • “An Evening Prayer”, lyrics by C. M. Batters, music by Charles H. Gabriel (YouTube 1, YouTube 2)

1912

1913

1914

  • “Since Jesus Came Into My Heart”, lyrics by Rufus H. McDaniel, music by Charles H. Gabriel (YouTube) (lyrics)

1915

  • “This Is My Father’s World”, lyrics by Maltbie D. Babcock, music by Franklin L. Sheppard (YouTube 1, YouTube 2)
  • “After the Midnight”, lyrics by James Rowe, music by Samuel Beazley (YouTube) (lyrics)

1916

1917

  • “The Love of God”, by Frederick M. Lehman (YouTube)
  • “Living for Jesus”, lyrics by Thomas O. Chisholm, music by C. Harold Lowden (YouTube 1, YouTube 2)

1919

  • “All Creatures of Our God and King”, by William H. Draper (lyrics), based on a poem by St. Francis of Assisi (YouTube 1, YouTube 2)
  • “Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord”, by Benjamin Mansell Ramsey (YouTube)

1920

  • “Blessed Redeemer” – Lyrics by Avis Burgeson Christiansen, music by Harry Dixon Loes (YouTube 1, YouTube 2)

1922

1923

  • “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”, Lyrics by Thomas O. Chisholm, music by William M. Runyan (YouTube 1, YouTube 2)
  • “Thine Be the Glory”, original French lyrics by Edmond Budry, English translation by Richard Birch Hoyle (YouTube 1, YouTube 2, YouTube 3)

1924

1925

1926

1928

1929

1930

  • “Oh, Say, but I’m Glad”, by James P. Sullivan (lyrics) and Mildred E. Sullivan (music) (YouTube) (lyrics)

1931

  • “I Know My Name Is There”, by D. S. Warner (lyrics, 19th century) (YouTube 1, YouTube 2, YouTube 3) (lyrics)
    • repopularized with new arrangements in 1931
  • “I Never Shall Forget the Day”, by G. T. Speer (YouTube)

1932

1933

  • “Keep On the Firing Line”, by Bessie F. Hatcher (YouTube)

1935

1936

1937

1939

  • “Victory in Jesus”, by Eugene M. Bartlett (YouTube)

1940

  • “I’ll Meet You in the Morning”, by Albert E. Brumley (YouTube)
  • “I Want to Know More About My Jesus”, by Lee Roy Abernathy (YouTube)
    • Written earlier, but gained national traction in 1940
  • “I’ll Have a New Body (Praise the Lord, I’ll Have a New Life)”, by Luther G. Presley (lyrics), tune by L. E. Green (YouTube)
  • “Isn’t the Love of Jesus Something Wonderful?”, by Alfred B. Smith

1942

  • “On the Jericho Road”, by Don and Marguerete McCrossan (YouTube)
  • “Hide Thou Me”, by L. R. Tolbert (music), Fanny J. Crosby (lyrics, 19th century) (YouTube)

1943

1945

1946

  • “Room at the Cross for You”, by Ira F. Stanphill (YouTube)
  • “I’m Bound for That City”, by Albert E. Brumley (YouTube)

1947

  • “Suppertime”, by Ira F. Stanphill (YouTube)

1948

  • “Jesus Is Tenderly Calling You Home”, originally by Fanny J. Crosby (1883), but included prominently in 1948 hymnals (YouTube)
  • “Just a Closer Walk with Thee”, traditional; arranged and published by Kenneth Morris (YouTube 1, YouTube 2)

1949

  • “I Know Who Holds Tomorrow”, by Ira F. Stanphill (YouTube 1, YouTube 2)
  • “Each Step I Take”, by W. Elmo Mercer (YouTube)

1950

  • “I’d Rather Have Jesus”, by Rhea F. Miller (YouTube 1, YouTube 2)
  • “It Is No Secret (What God Can Do)”, by Stuart Hamblen (YouTube)

1951

1952

  • “Over the Sunset Mountains”, by John W. Peterson (YouTube)
  • “No One Understands Like Jesus”, by John W. Peterson (YouTube) (lyrics)
  • “I’ve Got a Mansion Just Over the Hilltop”, by Ira Stanphill (YouTube)

1954

  • “Then I Met the Master”, by Mosie Lister (YouTube)

1955

  • “I’ll Never Be Lonely”, by Audrey Mieir (YouTube)

1956

  • “How Great Thou Art” (English Popularization), translated by Stuart K. Hine (YouTube 1, YouTube 2)
    • Gained traction in 1956 through George Beverly Shea’s performances during Billy Graham’s crusades.
  • “His Hand in Mine”, by Mosie Lister (YouTube 1, YouTube 2, YouTube 3)

1957

  • “Till the Storm Passes By”, by Mosie Lister (YouTube 1, YouTube 2)
  • “Jesus Is Coming Again”, by John W. Peterson (YouTube)

1958

  • “Springs of Living Water”, by John W. Peterson (YouTube)
  • “He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands”, by Mahalia Jackson (YouTube)
  • “Surely Goodness and Mercy”, lyrics by Alfred B. Smith, music by John W. Peterson (YouTube)

1959

1960

  • “One Day at a Time”, by Marijohn Wilkin (YouTube)

1961

  • “Heaven Came Down and Glory Filled My Soul”, by John W. Peterson (YouTube 1)

1962

  • “The King of Glory”, by Willard F. Jabusch (YouTube)

1963

  • “He’s Everything To Me”, by Ralph Carmichael (YouTube)

1966

  • “They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love”, by Peter Scholtes (YouTube)
  • “A Friend For You”, by Joystrings (YouTube)

1967

  • “This Is the Day”, by Les Garrett (YouTube)
  • “Alleluia”, by Jerry Sinclair (YouTube)

1971

  • “Seek Ye First”, by Karen Lafferty (YouTube)
  • “Going Home”, by Bill and Gloria Gaither (YouTube)

1972

  • “Father, I Adore You”, by Terrye Coelho (YouTube)

1976

  • “Glorify Thy Name”, by Donna Adkins (YouTube)

1977

  • “All Hail King Jesus” by Dave Moody (YouTube)

1978

  • “I Love You, Lord”, by Laurie Klein (YouTube)
  • “In His Time”, by Diane Ball (YouTube)
  • “Give Thanks”, by Henry Smith (YouTube)

1980

  • “Isn’t He”, by John Wimber (YouTube)
  • “Oh Lord, You’re Beautiful”, by Keith Green (YouTube)

1981

  • “You Are My Hiding Place” by Michael Ledner (YouTube)
  • “How Majestic Is Your Name”, by Michael W. Smith (YouTube)

1982

  • “Change My Heart, Oh God”, by Eddie Espinosa (YouTube)

1983

  • “Holy Ground”, by Geron Davis (YouTube)
  • “The Battle Belongs to the Lord”, by Jamie Owens-Collins (YouTube)

1984

1985

  • “Great Is the Lord”, by Michael W. Smith (YouTube)
  • “Forever Grateful”, by Marty Nystrom (YouTube)

1986

  • “Holy Ground” by Geron Davis (YouTube)

1987

  • “Blessed Be the Lord God Almighty”, by Bob Fitts (YouTube)
  • “Shine, Jesus, Shine”, by Graham Kendrick (YouTube)

1988

  • “Awesome God”, by Rich Mullins (YouTube)
  • “If I Stand”, by Rich Mullins (YouTube)
  • “I Worship You, Almighty God” by Sondra Corbett-Wood (YouTube)

1989

  • “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High”, by Rick Founds (YouTube)

1991

  • “You Are My All in All” by Dennis Jernigan (YouTube)
  • “There Is None Like You”, by Lenny LeBlanc (YouTube)
  • “Ancient of Days” by Jamie Harvill and Gary Sadler (YouTube)

1992

  • “Sometimes by Step”, by Rich Mullins (YouTube)
  • “Shout to the Lord”, by Darlene Zschech (YouTube)

1993

  • “The Heart of Worship”, by Matt Redman (YouTube)
  • “I Believe in Jesus”, by Marc Nelson (YouTube)
  • “Days of Elijah”, by Robin Mark (YouTube)
  • “Creed”, by Rich Mullins and Beaker (YouTube)

1995

  • “Better Is One Day”, by Matt Redman (YouTube)
  • “Above All”, by Paul Baloche and Lenny LeBlanc (YouTube)

1996

  • “Days of Elijah”, by Robin Mark (YouTube)

1997

  • “Come, Now Is the Time to Worship”, by Brian Doerksen (YouTube)

1999

  • “I Can Only Imagine”, by MercyMe (YouTube)
  • “Here I Am to Worship”, by Tim Hughes (YouTube)

2000

  • “God of Wonders”, by Steve Hindalong and Marc Byrd (YouTube)

2001

  • “In Christ Alone”, by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend (YouTube)
  • “Above All”, by Michael W. Smith (YouTube)

2002

  • “Blessed Be Your Name”, by Matt and Beth Redman (YouTube)

2003

  • “You Are My King (Amazing Love)”, by Billy James Foote (YouTube)
  • “You Are So Good to Me”, by Don Chaffer, Ben Pasley, and Robin Pasley (YouTube)

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