Harriet Eugenia “Hattie” Peck Buell Grave

Hymn History: A Child of the King & Author: Harriet Eugenia “Hattie” Peck Buell

“Harriett E. Buell, a native of New York state, wrote the words for ‘A Child of the King’ as she walked home from church one Sunday.” (Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society, Vol. 12, No. 22 [Spring 1999], p. 27)

The Origin of the Hymn “A Child of the King”

The beloved hymn “A Child of the King” is a joyful proclamation of the believer’s identity and inheritance in Christ. With its triumphant refrain—“I’m a child of the King, a child of the King, / With Jesus my Savior, I’m a child of the King!”—this song has encouraged generations of Christians to remember their heavenly citizenship and the unshakable dignity of belonging to God. Written by Harriet Eugenia Peck Buell and John Bunyan Sumner, the hymn was born in the 19th century out of a personal reflection on spiritual adoption and the assurance of salvation.

The Hymnwriter: Harriet E. Buell

Harriet Eugenia Peck Buell (1834–1910) was a devout Christian poet from Cazenovia, New York. Though not as widely known as some of her contemporaries, Buell possessed a deep spiritual insight and a gift for expressing faith in poetic form. Her writings often appeared in Christian periodicals of her day, particularly The Northern Christian Advocate, a Methodist Episcopal publication.

Buell’s hymns reveal a woman whose faith was firmly grounded in Scripture, especially in the promises of God’s grace and the believer’s relationship to Him. She wrote several hymns during her lifetime, but none would achieve the popularity or lasting influence of “A Child of the King.”

The Inspiration Behind the Hymn

The story of “A Child of the King” begins with one of Harriet Buell’s Sunday morning reflections in 1877. As she walked to church one winter day, she was meditating on her identity in Christ and the meaning of being an heir to God’s kingdom. The thought struck her deeply: though she lived modestly and held no worldly title, she was nonetheless a daughter of the King of Kings.

Buell later described how this realization filled her heart with joy. Upon returning home, she penned the words to what she titled “A Child of the King.” The poem was first published in The Northern Christian Advocate that same year. It quickly caught the attention of many readers who were inspired by its message of divine inheritance and spiritual nobility.

The hymn’s first stanza opens with a striking contrast between earthly poverty and heavenly riches:

My Father is rich in houses and lands,
He holdeth the wealth of the world in His hands!
Of rubies and diamonds, of silver and gold,
His coffers are full, He has riches untold.

Here, Buell expressed a truth central to the Christian faith: though believers may have little in this life, they are heirs of eternal riches through their relationship with God. Her words reflect the apostle Paul’s teaching in Romans 8:16–17 — “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ.”

The Composer: John Bunyan Sumner

While Harriet Buell wrote the text, the tune that brought the hymn to life was composed by John Bunyan Sumner (1838–1918), a musician and choir leader active in the late 19th century. Sumner’s melody perfectly complemented Buell’s uplifting lyrics, combining both simplicity and majesty.

The refrain—bright, singable, and full of confidence—helped fix the hymn in the hearts of congregations. It was first included in several Methodist hymnals and later adopted by Baptist and evangelical collections as well. Over the years, Sumner’s tune became inseparable from Buell’s text, and together they formed a hymn of lasting beauty and hope.

The Message and Meaning

At its heart, “A Child of the King” is a hymn of identity. It reminds believers that no matter their station in life, they possess a royal inheritance in Christ. The contrast between worldly poverty and heavenly wealth runs throughout the hymn. In one stanza, Buell writes:

A tent or a cottage, why should I care?
They’re building a palace for me over there;
Though exiled from home, yet still I may sing:
All glory to God, I’m a child of the King.

These lines reflect the spirit of humility and gratitude that defined Buell’s faith. Her words echo the teachings of Jesus in John 14:2, where He promises, “In my Father’s house are many mansions.”

The hymn became especially beloved among Christians of modest means, who found in it a source of encouragement and dignity. It lifted their eyes above earthly troubles to the eternal reality of being part of God’s royal family.

Enduring Legacy

Since its publication, “A Child of the King” has appeared in nearly every major Protestant hymnal and has been sung by congregations across denominations for more than a century. Its hopeful melody and triumphant message continue to inspire believers to remember their true inheritance.

Gospel singers and church choirs throughout the 20th century, including the likes of George Beverly Shea and the Gaither Homecoming singers, have kept the hymn alive in popular recordings. Each generation finds renewed comfort in its timeless assurance — that regardless of one’s circumstances, faith in Christ makes every believer a child of the Heavenly Father.

Harriet Buell, who never sought fame, left behind a hymn that has outlived her by more than a hundred years. “A Child of the King” remains a joyful testimony of faith, reminding Christians of their worth and security in God’s love. Her simple Sunday reflection became a song that continues to echo through churches around the world:

“I’m a child of the King,
A child of the King,
With Jesus my Savior,
I’m a child of the King!”