''Leaning on the Everlasting Arms'' is a

hymn A hymn is a type of song, and partially synonymous with devotional song, specifically written for the purpose of adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification. The word ''hymn'' ...

published in 1887 with music by Anthony J. Showalter and lyrics by Showalter and

Elisha Hoffman Elisha Albright (E. A.) Hoffman (May 7, 1839 – November 25, 1929) 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 ...

. 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 Deuteronomy ( grc, Δευτερονόμιον, Deuteronómion, second law) is the fifth and last book of the Torah (in Judaism), where it is called (Hebrew: hbo, , Dəḇārīm, hewords Moses.html"_;"title="f_Moses">f_Moseslabel=none)_and_th ...

33:27, "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms".

Lyrics

Showalter wrote the lyrics to the refrain in Hartselle, Alabama and asked Hoffman to write the remaining lyrics. :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 Bass or Basses may refer to: Fish * Bass (fish), various saltwater and freshwater species Music * Bass (sound), describing low-frequency sound or one of several instruments in the bass range: ** Bass (instrument), including: ** Acoustic bass ...

: :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

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Iris DeMent Iris Luella DeMent (born January 5, 1961) is an American two-time Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and musician . DeMent's musical style includes elements of folk, country and gospel. Early life DeMent was born in Paragould, Arkansas, the 14t ...

Mahalia Jackson Mahalia Jackson ( ; born Mahala Jackson; October 26, 1911 – January 27, 1972) was an American gospel singer, widely considered one of the most influential vocalists of the 20th century. With a career spanning 40 years, Jackson was integral to t ...

George Jones George Glenn Jones (September 12, 1931 – April 26, 2013) was an American country musician, singer, and songwriter. He achieved international fame for his long list of hit records, including his best-known song "He Stopped Loving Her Today", ...

Twila Paris Twyla (also Twila) is a given name. Notable people with the name include: Twyla * Twyla Hansen (born 1949), American poet, a Nebraska State Poet * Twyla Herbert (1921–2009), American songwriter * Twyla King (1937-2022), American newspaper edito ...

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and Norbert Susemihl.

Alan Jackson Alan Eugene Jackson (born October 17, 1958) is an American singer-songwriter. He is known for blending traditional honky-tonk and mainstream country pop sounds (for a style widely regarded as "neotraditional country"), as well as penning many o ...

included it in his 2006 live gospel album '' Precious Memories''.

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has
version
with multiple musicians including

Dr. John Malcolm John Rebennack Jr. (November 20, 1941 – June 6, 2019), better known by his stage name Dr. John, was an American singer and songwriter. His music encompassed New Orleans blues, jazz, funk, and R&B. Active as a session musician from ...

mewithoutyou MewithoutYou, usually styled as mewithoutYou, was an American rock band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The band consisted of Aaron Weiss (vocals), Michael Weiss and Brandon Beaver (guitars), Greg Jehanian (bass guitar), and Rickie Mazzotta ( ...

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 Carter Family was a traditional American folk music group that recorded between 1927 and 1956. Their music had a profound impact on bluegrass, country, Southern Gospel, pop and rock musicians as well as on the U.S. folk revival of the 1960s. ...

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 Brian Fallon (born January 28, 1980) is an American musician, singer and songwriter. He is best known as the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and main lyricist of the rock band the Gaslight Anthem, with whom he has recorded five studio albums. H ...

included it in his 2021 studio album '' Night Divine''.

In popular culture

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 A person's next of kin (NOK) are that person's closest living blood relatives. Some countries, such as the United States, have a legal definition of "next of kin". In other countries, such as the United Kingdom, "next of kin" may have no legal d ...

'' (1989), ''

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'' (2010) (of which it forms about a quarter of the score) and ''

First Reformed ''First Reformed'' is a 2017 American drama film written and directed by Paul Schrader. It stars Ethan Hawke, Amanda Seyfried, and Cedric Kyles, and follows a Protestant minister (Hawke) struggling with his faith while serving as pastor of a dw ...

'' (2017). In television, it was used in the ''

Dollhouse A dollhouse or doll's house is a toy home made in miniature. Since the early 20th century dollhouses have primarily been the domain of children, but their collection and crafting is also a hobby for many adults. English-speakers in North America ...

'' season one episode "True Believer". It was also used in the ''

House of Cards A house of cards (also known as a card tower or card castle) is a structure created by stacking playing cards on top of each other, often in the shape of a pyramid. "House of cards" is also an expression that dates back to 1645 meaning a structu ...

'' 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 ''The Simpsons'' is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical depiction of American life, epitomized by the Simpson family, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, ...

'' episode "

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" (season 25, episode 22). It was also sung in an episode of ''

The Andy Griffith Show ''The Andy Griffith Show '' is an American situation comedy television series that aired on CBS from October 3, 1960, to April 1, 1968, with a total of 249 half-hour episodes spanning eight seasons—159 in black and white and 90 in color. The ...

'', "Mountain Wedding", during the wedding scene. It was also used in a

Guinness Guinness () is an Irish dry stout that originated in the brewery of Arthur Guinness at St. James's Gate, Dublin, Ireland, in 1759. It is one of the most successful alcohol brands worldwide, brewed in almost 50 countries, and available in ove ...

beer commercial titled "Empty Chair" which was produced by Human Worldwide Inc. and in a 2014

Sainsbury's J Sainsbury plc, trading as Sainsbury's, is the second largest chain of supermarkets in the United Kingdom, with a 14.6% share of UK supermarket sales. Founded in 1869 by John James Sainsbury with a shop in Drury Lane, London, the company wa ...

ad regarding the World War I "Christmas Truce" of 1914.

References

External links

Sheet music (PriMus and .png) in english and german language and midi score
at steamboat-electric {{authority control American Christian hymns 1887 songs