FANNY CROSBY's STORY

Wonderful Hymns
FANNY CROSBY 1820-1915

Fanny Crosby was the most prolific of all the early hymn writers.  In the period from 1870 till her death in 1915 she wrote between 8000 and 9000 gospel hymns.  Fanny felt that writing hymns was her particular mission in life.  She felt that sharing the gospel through song would reach even more people than sermons.

Fanny was blinded at the age of 6 months due to improper medical treatment, however she considered the blindness a blessing and lived a happy normal life. Her grandmother took it upon herself to be her granddaughters eyes and teacher. Early on she knew all the flowers by their smell and their touch. She knew the types of trees by the feel of its bark and shape of the leaves. Fanny knew all the birds by their calls and songs. At a very young age she began to memorize the bible. She could recite the Pentateuch, all 4 gospels many of the psalms and of the proverbs as well as the books of Ruth and Solomon. Her spiritual life was strengthened daily by the word of God stored in her heart.

Fanny was schooled at the New York Institute for the Blind for 12 years and then served as a teacher there for another 11 years, teaching language and history. She wrote a multitude of secular poems and stories during this time. She was also a very proficient musician and could play the harp, guitar, piano and organ. Fanny used these instruments to accompany her beautiful soprano voice.

In 1858 she married a fellow teacher/musician and bore one child the very next year. Sadly this child died early on and this subject was never discussed by Mrs. Crosby. Her husband, Alexander Van Alstyne, was very proud of Fanny's accomplishments and thus allowed her to keep her maiden name. She wrote under the name of Fanny Crosby as well as 111 pen names making the exact number of hymns written by her difficult to determine.

Fanny was alive for the terms of 8 different presidents all of whom she had the privilege of knowing. She would often be summoned to come sit with them to talk and council with them on worldly and spiritual matters. They all determined that she was a great inspiration and comfort to them as well as millions of others. By the age of 70 she was busier that most 40 year olds with speaking engagements, revivals and her writings.

I have chosen 9 of her hymns and printed the hymn poems as well as dulcimer tab for beginner, intermediate and duet playing.  I hope you get a blessing from the messages she brings in word as well as music.  It was her belief that music is the language and voice of the heart and soul.

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