Knowles Shaw Grave

Hymn History: Bringing in the Sheaves & Author: Knowles Shaw

“His nickname was ‘The Singing Evangelist.’”
(Graham McKay)

The Origin of the Hymn “Bringing in the Sheaves”

Few hymns capture the spirit of Christian labor and joyful harvest quite like “Bringing in the Sheaves.” Its simple, earnest call to sow in faith and reap in joy has encouraged countless believers for over a century. Rooted deeply in Scripture and the rhythms of agricultural life, this beloved gospel song reminds Christians that every act of service for God will, in His time, yield a rich and eternal harvest.

The Writer: Knowles Shaw

The hymn’s text was written by Knowles Shaw (1834–1878), an American evangelist, singer, and composer known for his energetic preaching and musical gifts. Born in Butler County, Ohio, Shaw grew up in humble circumstances. His father died when he was just thirteen years old, leaving him with a violin and the admonition to “use it for the glory of God.” That charge stayed with him throughout his life.

Shaw was a man of deep conviction and great talent. He became a Christian as a young man and soon dedicated himself to evangelism. Combining his gifts for music and preaching, he traveled extensively throughout the Midwest, preaching the gospel and leading large crowds in spirited singing. His voice and violin drew people to meetings, and his warm, personal preaching kept them there. It was said that he led more than 20,000 people to Christ during his ministry.

He wrote the words to “Bringing in the Sheaves” in 1874, inspired by Psalm 126:5–6, which reads:

“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed,
shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”

These verses reflect the Old Testament imagery of sowing and reaping, symbolizing the hard work and eventual joy of those who serve faithfully in God’s kingdom. Shaw saw in this passage a beautiful parallel to the Christian life—the labor, the sorrow, and finally, the rejoicing at the harvest of souls.

The Hymn’s Composition and Publication

Although Shaw was himself an accomplished musician who wrote both lyrics and melodies for many of his songs, the tune most commonly associated with “Bringing in the Sheaves” was composed by George A. Minor (1845–1904), a musician and Sunday school worker from Richmond, Virginia. Minor’s melody was written a few years later and first appeared in Gospel Hymns No. 1 (1874), edited by Philip P. Bliss and Ira D. Sankey.

Minor’s tune perfectly matched Shaw’s words. The bright, lilting rhythm captured the joy of the harvest and the assurance of eventual reward for faithful labor. Together, Shaw’s earnest text and Minor’s memorable tune created a hymn that resonated with believers across denominational lines.

The song became a staple of revival meetings, camp gatherings, and Sunday schools throughout the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It appealed to rural congregations who understood the literal act of reaping a harvest, as well as to urban Christians who recognized the spiritual metaphor of bringing souls to Christ.

The Message of the Hymn

At its heart, “Bringing in the Sheaves” is a hymn of perseverance, hope, and joy. It portrays the Christian life as one of faithful sowing—sometimes amid tears and hardship—but always with confidence in God’s promised harvest.

The opening lines set the tone:

“Sowing in the morning, sowing seeds of kindness,
Sowing in the noontide and the dewy eve;
Waiting for the harvest, and the time of reaping,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.”

This steady rhythm of sowing and waiting echoes the natural cycles of planting and harvesting known to farmers, but it also reflects spiritual truth: that faithful service, even when unseen, will one day yield fruit. The refrain, with its repeated promise of “bringing in the sheaves,” reinforces the joy of reward and the certainty of divine fulfillment.

A Life Cut Short

Tragically, Knowles Shaw’s life was cut short at the age of forty-four. In 1878, while traveling by train from Dallas, Texas, to McKinney, to hold revival meetings, his train derailed, and he was killed instantly. His death was deeply mourned by the thousands who had come to Christ under his ministry. It was said that he had been singing one of his own hymns shortly before the accident—a fitting testimony to a man whose life was filled with the joy of the Lord.

Although Shaw’s earthly ministry was brief, “Bringing in the Sheaves” became his most enduring legacy. Through it, his voice continues to call believers to faithful service and joyful expectation.

The Legacy of the Hymn

For more than a century, “Bringing in the Sheaves” has been sung in churches, revivals, and even cultural gatherings. Its popularity spread beyond the church walls, appearing in early gospel hymnals, on phonograph recordings, and even in popular media. Its message is timeless: faithful sowing—whether through acts of kindness, words of witness, or deeds of service—will one day bring a harvest of joy.

The hymn’s enduring appeal lies in its combination of realism and hope. It acknowledges that laboring for God may be wearying and at times sorrowful, but it promises that those who persevere will one day return “rejoicing.” In this way, “Bringing in the Sheaves” stands as a musical embodiment of the Christian life—faithful, patient, and confident in the Lord of the harvest.

Through the centuries, as voices young and old have lifted its joyful refrain, the message remains as strong as ever: “He that goeth forth and weepeth… shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”

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Featured Image Credit: Photograph, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons