Anna Bartlett Warner Grave

Hymn History: Jesus Loves Me & Author: Anna Bartlett Warner

“You have rendered a real and patriotic service, and on behalf of all our people I desire to express our obligation and our appreciation.”
(President Theodore Roosevelt in a letter to Anna Bartlett Warner)

The Origin of the Hymn “Jesus Loves Me”

Few hymns in the English-speaking world have captured the hearts of children and adults alike as powerfully as “Jesus Loves Me.” Known for its simplicity, tenderness, and theological depth, this hymn has been sung in homes, schools, churches, and mission fields across the globe. Its origin lies in a children’s story, yet its message has endured for over 150 years, reminding Christians of all ages of the comforting truth of Christ’s love.

From a Novel to a Hymn

The words that became “Jesus Loves Me” were first written not as a hymn but as part of a novel. Anna Bartlett Warner (1827–1915), an American writer, included the lines in her 1860 book Say and Seal, a popular work she co-authored with her sister Susan Warner.

In the novel, a Sunday school teacher named Mr. Linden visits a sick and dying boy. Seeking to comfort the child, Linden speaks to him about the tender love of Jesus and recites a short poem:

Jesus loves me—this I know,
For the Bible tells me so.

The simple verse, designed to assure a child of Christ’s love and the authority of Scripture, became one of the most memorable passages in the story. Though Say and Seal itself is little read today, these lines escaped the pages of fiction to find a permanent place in Christian hymnody.

William Bradbury and the Melody

The transformation of Warner’s poem into a hymn occurred a few years later, in 1862, when composer William Batchelder Bradbury (1816–1868) encountered the text. Bradbury was already a prominent figure in American church music, known for composing tunes for hymns such as “Sweet Hour of Prayer” and “He Leadeth Me.” When he came across Warner’s verses, he immediately recognized their potential for use in children’s ministry.

Bradbury composed the now-familiar melody, gentle and easily sung by young voices, and he also added the beloved refrain:

Yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Jesus loves me,
The Bible tells me so.

With these additions, the poem took on new life as a hymn. Published in Bradbury’s The Golden Shower of S.S. Melodies in 1862, it quickly spread through Sunday schools and churches across the United States.

Anna Warner and Her Legacy

Though Anna Warner is remembered chiefly for “Jesus Loves Me,” she and her sister Susan were prolific writers. Together they published numerous novels and devotional works, often weaving spiritual lessons into their stories. They lived much of their lives on Constitution Island in the Hudson River, near West Point, New York. The Warner sisters became well-loved by cadets at the U.S. Military Academy, leading Bible classes for many years.

When Anna Warner died in 1915, she was buried with military honors at West Point, an unusual tribute that reflected the deep affection in which she and her sister were held by generations of cadets.

A Hymn for Children and Adults

From the beginning, “Jesus Loves Me” was recognized as a children’s hymn, but its appeal has never been limited to the young. Its theological simplicity—affirming Christ’s love and grounding that assurance in the testimony of Scripture—makes it suitable for believers of all ages. Missionaries reported that it was often the first hymn translated into new languages because its message was so direct and universally applicable.

Its popularity has endured across denominational and cultural boundaries. In countless Sunday schools, it became the first hymn children memorized. At the same time, adults have drawn comfort from its words in times of trial. Stories abound of soldiers, prisoners, and those on their deathbeds finding solace in softly singing “Jesus Loves Me.”

Enduring Influence

The hymn has been translated into hundreds of languages, sung in remote mission fields as well as great cathedrals. Its simple melody and words make it accessible even in oral cultures where literacy is limited. In many cases, it serves as a child’s first introduction to Christian truth.

Hymn scholars note that while its structure is uncomplicated, its theology is profound. It captures two of the most essential truths of the Christian faith: that Christ’s love is personal and that the Bible is the sure source of that knowledge. In only a few lines, it affirms assurance, grace, and the authority of God’s Word.

Conclusion

The story of “Jesus Loves Me” is remarkable: a verse written for a fictional child in a nineteenth-century novel became, through the gift of a melody and refrain, one of the most beloved hymns in Christian history. Anna Warner provided the words, William Bradbury gave them music, and together they created a song that has spanned generations.

Its origins remind us that sometimes the simplest expressions of faith can have the greatest impact. Whether sung by children in a Sunday school class, whispered by believers in moments of suffering, or translated into distant languages, “Jesus Loves Me” continues to proclaim a truth that comforts and sustains: Christ’s love is real, personal, and everlasting.