Francis Harold Rowley Grave

Hymn History: I Will Sing the Wondrous Story & Author: Francis Harold Rowley

“The first element in worship is adoration. The Hebrews expressed this by their posture and not alone my their word. For they prostrated themselves before God. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.”
(Francis Harold Rowley)

The Origin of the Hymn “I Will Sing the Wondrous Story”

Among the many hymns born during the fervor of the nineteenth-century revival era, “I Will Sing the Wondrous Story” holds a special place. With its stirring melody and words of personal testimony, it reflects both the evangelistic zeal and the joy of redemption that marked the age. The hymn’s origins are tied to two men: Francis Harold Rowley, who penned the lyrics, and Peter Philip Bilhorn, who supplied the tune that gave it lasting life.

Francis Harold Rowley: The Author

The words of the hymn were written in 1886 by Francis Harold Rowley (1854–1952). Rowley was a Baptist minister, educated at Rochester Theological Seminary, who served congregations in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and New York during his long career. He was deeply committed to both evangelism and humanitarian causes, later becoming a prominent advocate for animal welfare as president of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The inspiration for the hymn came during Rowley’s pastorate at First Baptist Church of North Adams, Massachusetts. He recalled that he had been leading a series of revival meetings when the desire struck him to put into words a message of personal salvation that could be sung by the congregation. His goal was simple: to give voice to the story of Christ’s redemptive love in a way that believers could sing with conviction.

Late one night, stirred by the memory of souls won to Christ in those meetings, he took up his pen and wrote the lines that began, “I will sing the wondrous story of the Christ who died for me.” These words, personal and testimonial, reflected not only his own gratitude but also the spirit of the revival.

Peter Bilhorn: The Composer

The tune for the hymn came from Peter Philip Bilhorn (1865–1936), a gospel singer, composer, and evangelist closely associated with Dwight L. Moody and Ira Sankey. Bilhorn had a colorful background—having worked as a saloon singer in Chicago before his conversion—and brought a lively, enthusiastic style to his gospel music.

When Rowley completed the text, he handed it to Bilhorn, who was directing the music for the revival services in North Adams at the time. Bilhorn immediately set the words to music, giving them the energetic, march-like melody that has since become inseparably tied to the hymn. With its strong, memorable refrain—“Yes, I’ll sing the wondrous story of the Christ who died for me”—the hymn was easy for congregations to learn and sing with gusto.

Publication and Spread

After its use in the North Adams meetings, the hymn quickly spread. Ira Sankey, one of the most influential gospel musicians of the period, recognized its merit and included it in his widely circulated collection Gospel Hymns and Sacred Songs. Its inclusion in Sankey’s publications ensured that the hymn reached a broad audience in both America and Britain, securing its place in the gospel song repertoire.

By the early twentieth century, “I Will Sing the Wondrous Story” had become a staple in revival meetings, Sunday schools, and church hymnals. Its testimonial character made it especially effective in evangelistic settings, as it invited singers to make the words their own confession of faith.

A Hymn of Testimony

The enduring appeal of the hymn lies in its deeply personal tone. Unlike hymns that speak in abstract theological terms, “I Will Sing the Wondrous Story” takes the form of a believer’s testimony. The singer declares, “I was lost, but Jesus found me, found the sheep that went astray.” Such language echoes the parable of the lost sheep and emphasizes the intimate, saving work of Christ in individual lives.

At the same time, the hymn looks forward with hope. Its verses speak of Christ carrying the believer through sorrow, guiding them in darkness, and ultimately leading them to glory. In this way, it is both retrospective—celebrating what Christ has already done—and prospective—anticipating the final joy of eternal life.

Legacy

Today, “I Will Sing the Wondrous Story” remains in many hymnals across denominations. Its strong gospel tune and heartfelt words continue to inspire congregations to sing their own “wondrous story” of salvation. For over a century, it has offered believers a way to bear testimony, both in public worship and in personal devotion, to the redeeming love of Christ.

For Francis Rowley, who lived nearly a century, the hymn became the best-known fruit of his long ministry. And for Peter Bilhorn, the once wayward saloon singer turned evangelist, it was another of the many gospel songs he wrote to bring souls to Christ. Together, they produced a hymn that has echoed through revival tents, country chapels, and grand sanctuaries alike, reminding the church of the joy found in proclaiming Christ’s saving grace.

Conclusion

The hymn “I Will Sing the Wondrous Story” arose out of the revivalist spirit of the late nineteenth century, penned by a pastor eager to put testimony into song and set to music by an evangelist whose own life had been dramatically changed by Christ. Its message remains timeless: to proclaim with joy and gratitude the wondrous story of a Savior who seeks, saves, and sustains His people. Through its simple words and stirring melody, it continues to invite worshipers to sing their own story of redemption in Christ.