Autoharp 'Blessed Assurance,' Fanny Crosby fun facts

Here's the well known hymn "Blessed Assurance," 1873, played by Paul Boxmeyer on the autoharp, recorded at Lebo Vista, in North Central PA, overlooking the Pine Creek Valley, aka "The Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania."

The story goes that prolific hymn writer Fanny J. Crosby visited the home of friend Phoebe Knapp, who had just written a tune. Phoebe played her tune for Fanny on the piano, and asked Fanny what she thought the tune was saying. Fanny immediately replied, "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!" The rest of the lyrics flowed from that opening line. After publication, the hymn quickly took a prominent place in American hymnody, and has held that place for nearly 150 years.

Fanny Crosby, blind from infancy, grew into a gifted poet at a young age. As a musician, she became an accomplished pianist, organist, guitarist, and harpist. But she stands out in history as author of lyrics for over 8000 hymns!

So popular were her hymns that her publishers became reticent to include too many of her hymns in a single hymnal, lest her works dominate that volume. So she began to write some of her hymns under a multitude of pseudonyms, including Grace J. Francis, Ella Dale, C. M. Wilson, Lizzie Edwards, and my favorite, Maud Marion.

Final Fun Fact: Fanny Crosby shares her family tree with crooner Bing Crosby!

[chrisscriber]

Perfect ending to a beautiful day.
Now, to sleep, with that tune, and the knowledge of the truth of the lyrics will be sweet.
Thanks, Paul.

[pamtnman]

Great location. My camp is right behind you and to your right. Nice to know you are playing up there