Song of the Week: Jars of Clay's Cover of "It is Well"

The tragedy that led to one of the most beloved hymns took place 136 years ago this past Friday. You may be aware of the story behind “It is Well (With My Soul).” After the great Chicago Fire of October 1871 ruined him financially, Horatio Spafford lost all four of his daughters when the ship they were in collided with another. Spafford’s wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, “Saved alone.” Several weeks later, as Spafford’s own ship passed near the spot where his daughters died, Spafford wrote the song.

Here’s an image of the handwritten lyrics (source: http://spaffordhymn.com/):



And here’s a great video of Spafford’s biography from Mars Hill Church:



There are over 600 renditions of "It is Well" at lala.com. The following rendition is from the Jars of Clay project, Redemption Songs. It has a sort of ‘George Harrison’ feel to it, huh?



When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though the devil will ruin, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And He shed His own blood for my soul.

It is well with my soul
It is well, it is well, with my soul

My sin--oh, the bliss of this glorious thought,
My sin--not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

It is well with my soul
It is well, it is well, with my soul

It is well with my soul
It is well, it is well, with my soul

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

It is well with my soul
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well with my soul
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

(HT on the image of the handwritten lyrics and the Mars Hill video: Justin Taylor)