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09/04/2020 |
Leaning on
the Everlasting Arms
Elisha Hoffman |
The
lyrics for "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms" were written
by Elisha Hoffman. Elisha Albright Hoffman (1839-1929) was a
minister’s son. Hoffman attended Union Seminary in New
Berlin, Pennsylvania, and was ordained in 1868.
Afterward, he worked with the Evangelical Association’s
publishing arm in Cleveland, Ohio for 11 years. He pastored
in Cleveland and Grafton, Ohio, in the 1880s; at the First
Presbyterian Church in Benton Harbor, Michigan, around
the turn of the century; and in Cabery, Illinois
(1911-1922). In his lifetime, he wrote over 2,000 Gospel
songs.
Anthony Showalter (1858-1924) was a music teacher, author and
publisher. Showalter studied with Benjamin C. Unseld and
George F. Root; for a year in 1895, he studied music for in
England, France, and Germany. He published over 130 music
books, which sold more than a million copies. He was
principal of the Southern Normal Musical Institute in
Dalton, Georgia from its inception in 1880. He edited
The Musical Teacher for over 20
years, and served as an elder of the First Presbyterian
Church in Dalton, Georgia. His works include
Harmony and Composition, 1880.
Showalter wrote this tune and words to the refrain after
hearing from two friends whose wives had died, and asked
Hoffman to write the remaining lyrics. |
Anthony Showalter |
This song was sung in the 1943 movie
The Human Comedy, starring Mickey
Rooney, which was nominated for Academy Awards in five
categories, including Best Picture and Best Actor. William
Saroyan won Best Original Story for the film.
Lyrics by Elisha Hoffman
|
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
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