Leaning on the Everlasting Arms

Last updated
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
by Anthony J. Showalter and Elisha Hoffman
AJ Showalter.jpg
A. J. Showalter
Genre Hymn
Written1887
Based on Deuteronomy33:27
Meter10.9.10.9 with refrain
Melody Anthony J. Showalter

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms is a hymn published in 1887 with music by Anthony J. Showalter and lyrics by Showalter and Elisha Hoffman.

Contents

Showalter said that he received letters from two of his former pupils saying that their wives had died. When writing letters of consolation, Showalter was inspired by the phrase in the Book of Deuteronomy 33:27, "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms". [1]

Lyrics

Elisha Hoffman Elisha Hoffman.jpg
Elisha Hoffman

Showalter wrote the lyrics to the refrain in Hartselle, Alabama and asked Hoffman to write the remaining lyrics. [2]

What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Refrain:
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
O how sweet to walk, In this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
O how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Refrain
What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Refrain
Alternate version

There is an alternate version of the refrain, typically sung by basses:

Leaning on Jesus, leaning on Jesus, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning on Jesus, leaning on Jesus, leaning on the everlasting arms.

Versions

It has been performed and recorded by such artists as Roy Clark, Iris DeMent, Mahalia Jackson, George Jones, Twila Paris, Selah and Norbert Susemihl.

Alan Jackson included it in his 2006 live gospel album Precious Memories .

mewithoutyou uses the lyrics from the 3rd stanza and part of the 2nd in their song Watermelon Ascot from their Pale Horses album.

The Carter Family performed the hymn during their time on Mexican Radio Stations in the late 1930s and early 1940s. One version can be found on YouTube.

Brian Fallon included it in his 2021 studio album Night Divine .

The song has been used in several movies, including The Human Comedy (1943), “Native Son” (1950), The Night of the Hunter (1955), Phase IV (1974), Wild Bill (1995), Next of Kin (1989), True Grit (2010) (of which it forms about a quarter of the score [3] ) and First Reformed (2017).

In television, it was used in the Dollhouse season one episode "True Believer". [4] It was also used in the House of Cards episode "Chapter 42" (season 4, episode 3), in the Law and Order: Special Victims Unit episode "Pattern Seventeen" (season 16, episode 9), in Justified (season 4, episode 5, "Kin") and in The Simpsons episode "The Yellow Badge of Cowardge" (season 25, episode 22). [5] It was also sung in an episode of The Andy Griffith Show , "Mountain Wedding", during the wedding scene.

It was also used in a Guinness beer commercial titled "Empty Chair" which was produced by Human Worldwide Inc. and in a 2014 Sainsbury's ad regarding the World War I "Christmas Truce" of 1914. [6]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Salve Regina</span> Medieval Catholic hymn to Mary, mother of Jesus

The "Salve Regina", also known as the "Hail Holy Queen", is a Marian hymn and one of four Marian antiphons sung at different seasons within the Christian liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church. The Salve Regina is traditionally sung at Compline in the time from the Saturday before Trinity Sunday until the Friday before the first Sunday of Advent. The Hail Holy Queen is also the final prayer of the Rosary.

Hosanna is a liturgical word in Judaism and Christianity. In Judaism it refers to a cry expressing an appeal for divine help. In Christianity it is used as a cry of praise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bringing In the Sheaves</span> American Gospel song

"Bringing in the Sheaves" is a popular American Gospel song used almost exclusively by Protestant Christians. The lyrics were written in 1874 by Knowles Shaw, who was inspired by Psalm 126:6, "He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." Shaw also wrote music for these words, but they are now usually set to a tune by George Minor, written in 1880.

"The Army Goes Rolling Along" is the official song of the United States Army and is typically called "The Army Song". It is adapted from an earlier work from 1908 entitled "The Caissons Go Rolling Along", which was in turn incorporated into John Philip Sousa's "U.S. Field Artillery March" in 1917.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Johnson Showalter</span> American composer (1858–1924)

Anthony Johnson Showalter was an American gospel music composer, teacher and publisher. He was born in Cherry Grove, West Virginia. Showalter was trained in the Ruebush-Kieffer School of Music and was teaching in shape note singing schools by age fourteen. In 1884, he formed the Showalter Music Company of Dalton, Georgia. He was also an elder of the First Presbyterian Church in Dalton.

The Divine Service is a title given to the Eucharistic liturgy as used in the various Lutheran churches. It has its roots in the Pre-Tridentine Mass as revised by Martin Luther in his Formula missae of 1523 and his Deutsche Messe of 1526. It was further developed through the Kirchenordnungen of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries that followed in Luther's tradition.

"Go Tell It on the Mountain" is an African-American spiritual song and Christmas carol which was likely derived from the oral tradition, but was originally published by John Wesley Work Jr., although there is some debate over whether he was actually the first to write it. It has been sung and recorded by many gospel and secular performers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing</span> 18th-century Christian hymn

"Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" is a Christian hymn written by the pastor and hymnodist Robert Robinson, who penned the words in the year 1758 at the age of 22.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name</span>

"All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name" is a Christian hymn.

"Tu scendi dalle stelle" is a Christmas carol from Italy, written in 1744 in Bovino by Saint Alphonses Liguori in the musical style of a pastorale. Though found in numerous arrangements and commonly sung, it is traditionally associated with the zampogna, or large-format Italian bagpipe.

<i>Precious Memories</i> (Alan Jackson album) 2006 studio album by Alan Jackson

Precious Memories is the thirteenth studio album and the first gospel album by American country music artist Alan Jackson. It was released on February 28, 2006 on the Arista Nashville label. This project began at The Rukkus Room Recording Studios when Alan Jackson recorded a song for his Father-In-Law’s funeral. This recording led to what is now the Precious Memories album. Unlike his previous albums, this is a side project composed of traditional gospel songs. Although no singles were released from it, Precious Memories earned a Platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

<i>Lifeline</i> (Iris DeMent album) 2004 studio album by Iris DeMent

Lifeline is the fourth album released by singer-songwriter Iris DeMent, released in 2004, eight years since her previous recording The Way I Should.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Immaculate Mary</span> Popular Catholic Marian hymn

"Immaculate Mary" or "Immaculate Mother" is a popular Roman Catholic Marian hymn. It is also known as the Lourdes Hymn, a term which also refers to the hymn tune itself. It is often sung in honour of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

<i>The Land of Many Churches</i> 1971 live album by Merle Haggard and The Strangers

The Land of Many Churches is the fifteenth studio album and the double live gospel album by Merle Haggard and The Strangers released on Capitol Records in 1971.

<i>Hymned Again</i> 2008 studio album by Bart Millard

Hymned Again is the second solo album from MercyMe singer Bart Millard. Like his previous effort, Hymned, No. 1, the album features modern takes on popular Christian hymns. The album was released on August 19, 2008. Country singer Vince Gill, again makes a collaboration on the song "Jesus Cares for Me". The album also features vocals by Christy Nockels.

<i>True Grit</i> (2010 soundtrack) 2010 soundtrack album by Carter Burwell

True Grit: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is a soundtrack to the 2010 film of the same name. True Grit is the 15th Coen brothers film scored by long-time collaborator Carter Burwell. The Coens discussed the idea of using 19th-century church music, "something that was severe (sounding). It couldn't be soothing or uplifting, and at the same time it couldn't be outwardly depressing. I spent the summer going through hymn books," Burwell said.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I am Thine, O Lord</span> Hymn by Fanny Crosby

"I am Thine, O Lord" is one of many hymns written by Fanny Crosby, a prolific American hymn writer. The melody was composed by William Howard Doane. The former was talking with the latter one night about the proximity of God and penned the words before retiring for the night. It has also been reported that Fanny Crosby, though blind, had a sunset described to her in words before writing the lyrics. Hebrews 10:22 is reported as being a source of inspiration for the hymn:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elisha Hoffman</span> Musical artist

Elisha Albright Hoffman was a Presbyterian minister, composer of over 2,000 hymns and editor of over 50 song books. The son of an Evangelical minister, Hoffman grew up singing sacred hymns both in church and in the home with his parents. After completing high school, Hoffman furthered his education at Union Seminary in New Berlin, Pennsylvania, and was subsequently ordained as a Presbyterian minister in 1873.

<i>Untitled Hymn: A Collection of Hymns</i> 2019 studio album by Chris Rice

Untitled Hymn: A Collection of Hymns is a 2019 studio album by Chris Rice. After more than a decade since his previous solo release, Rice and Fair Trade Services released a collection of hymns that FeeCCM.com calls a "celebration of the sound theology and sweet poetry of these classic songs of faith." Timothy Yap at Hallels is more reserved in his review, expressing disappointment that Rice has released another collection of hymns instead of original songs, but concludes that this disappointment is "redeemed by the creativity and ingenuity invested in re-imagining these hymns."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm Leaning on You</span> 2020 single by Crowder

"I'm Leaning on You" is a song performed by American contemporary Christian music singer Crowder featuring Riley Clemmons. It was released on February 14, 2020, as the fourth single from his third studio album, I Know a Ghost (2018). Crowder co-wrote the song with Brenton Brown, Chris McClarney and Hank Bentley.

References

  1. p.122 Morgan, Robert J. Near to the Heart of God: Meditations on 366 Best-Loved Hymns Revell, 2010
  2. "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms". The Cyber Hymnal. Retrieved 2018-04-10.
  3. Burlingame, Jon (15 December 2010). "Burwell in tune with Coen brothers". Variety . Retrieved 3 February 2011.
  4. "Dollhouse (TV Series) - True Believer (2009) - Soundtracks". IMDb. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  5. "The Simpsons" The Yellow Badge of Cowardge (TV Episode 2014).
  6. "22 Words".