Andraé Crouch Grave

The Origin of Andraé Crouch’s Hymn “Through It All”

Andraé Crouch’s enduring hymn, “Through It All,” stands as a cornerstone of modern gospel music, a profound and personal declaration of faith that has resonated across denominations, cultures, and generations. Written and copyrighted in 1971, this song is less a simple composition and more a deeply felt, autobiographical testimony born from a period of intense personal disappointment and disillusionment in the life of the prodigious songwriter. It captures the essence of learning to trust God not for the circumstances of life, but in them, embodying the quintessential message of Christian perseverance.

A Heartbreak on the Road

The immediate catalyst for the song was a painful emotional setback that Crouch experienced while on a concert tour in Northern California with his group, The Disciples. Crouch had been planning to propose marriage to a young woman who frequently sang with the group. He had even purchased an engagement ring, intending to ask for her hand during their three-day engagement at a local church.

However, over the first two nights of the engagement, the young woman failed to appear. When she finally arrived on the third night, her news was devastatingly clear: she was in love and planning to marry—but not to Crouch. Her announcement to the group, coupled with his own unspoken intentions, left the already traveling musician shattered.

The long, solitary five-hour drive back home to Los Angeles became a crucible for his grief. Overwhelmed by sorrow, tears, and a sense of utter aloneness, Crouch wrestled with his disappointment, turning to prayer and reflection. It was during this period of intense spiritual and emotional struggle that the lyrics began to flow, serving as his personal sermon and consolation. The song became a testament that in his deepest, most lonely hours, he was reminded of God’s abiding presence.

The Song as Autobiography

While the heartbreak over a lost love was the specific catalyst, the power of “Through It All” lies in its ability to encapsulate the broader struggles and victories of Crouch’s life, making it universally relatable. The song’s lyrics reflect a journey marked by profound challenges, extending beyond a singular disappointment.

The opening stanza is a poignant reflection on life’s uncertainty and sorrow:

I’ve had many tears and sorrows,
I’ve had questions for tomorrow,
There’ve been times I didn’t know right from wrong;
But in every situation, God gave blessed consolation,
That my trials come to only make me strong.

The famous refrain solidifies the song’s core theological message—a radical declaration of trust independent of earthly circumstances:

Through it all, trough it all,
I’ve learned to trust in Jesus,
I’ve learned to trust in God;
Through it all, through it all,
I’ve learned to depend upon His Word.

Thanking God for the Valleys

The hymn’s third and perhaps most enduring stanza encapsulates the hard-won wisdom that allows one to truly praise in the midst of pain:

I thank God for the mountains,
And I thank Him for the valleys,
I thank Him for the storms He brought me through;
For if I’d never had a problem, I wouldn’t know God could solve them,
I’d never know what faith in God could do.

Crouch’s willingness to express his raw disillusionment and loneliness (Stanza 2: “there’s been times I felt so all alone”) while simultaneously arriving at a position of profound praise struck a powerful chord. It was authentic, bridging the gap between the traditional formality of hymns and the raw emotion of gospel and contemporary Christian music.

“Through It All” was released on the 1972 album Soulfully, and its impact was immediate and widespread. It solidified Crouch’s reputation as a pioneering force in contemporary gospel, bridging the music styles of white evangelical and African-American Pentecostal congregations. The song’s simple yet powerful truth has ensured its place as one of the most beloved and frequently sung hymns in the Christian world, proving that a song born of a broken heart can, indeed, minister healing and strength to millions.