Have you ever wondered about the timeless appeal of the hymn "Jesus Loves Me"? Join us as we journey through its history and the deep connection we share with this profound piece of music. In a candid conversation, we unwrap the story of Anna and Susan Warner, who, amidst financial hardship, composed the universally cherished lyrics within their novel "Say and Seal." We also pay homage to William Bradbury, whose melodic touch brought the words to life for congregations worldwide. We gaze upon this hymn from a little different perspective as we see it through the eyes of my daughter, Lily. She offers a sweet perspective, recounting how the hymn has influenced her and continues to inspire billions across age divides.
In this episode, we delve into the comforting simplicity found in the message of Jesus's love, a love that embraces our imperfections and is beautifully encapsulated in John 3:16. The hymn's evolution is not just a tale of lyrical modifications but a testament to the unwavering message of God's affection for us. We contemplate how the hymn's chorus, much like an unexpected blessing, serves as a soothing reminder of faith's everyday presence. The episode also touches upon the cathartic power of music and how singing "Jesus Loves Me" can serve as an emotional anchor in times of distress. So, tune in and let us guide you through this melodic exploration of faith, history, and the enduring message of love that the Warner sisters gifted to the world.
SHOW LINKS:
"Jesus Loves Me" performed by Nathan Drake of Reawaken Hymns
"Jesus Loves Me" appears on the album Reawaken Hymns: Volume 4 available here.
The instrumental version of "Jesus Loves Me" used in this episode is from the album Piano Only: Volume 1 from The Hymnal Project. Music arranged and performed by Peter Prochnow with Setting by Benje Daneman. Arrangement © 2018.
Full musical version of "Jesus Loves Me" from The Hymnal Project with video and printable resources available here.
Take a virtual tour of the Warner Historical Home on Constitution Island in New York.
www.thebrightforever.com
All songs used by permission.
Have you ever wondered about the timeless appeal of the hymn "Jesus Loves Me"? Join us as we journey through its history and the deep connection we share with this profound piece of music. In a candid conversation, we unwrap the story of Anna and Susan Warner, who, amidst financial hardship, composed the universally cherished lyrics within their novel "Say and Seal." We also pay homage to William Bradbury, whose melodic touch brought the words to life for congregations worldwide. We gaze upon this hymn from a little different perspective as we see it through the eyes of my daughter, Lily. She offers a sweet perspective, recounting how the hymn has influenced her and continues to inspire billions across age divides.
In this episode, we delve into the comforting simplicity found in the message of Jesus's love, a love that embraces our imperfections and is beautifully encapsulated in John 3:16. The hymn's evolution is not just a tale of lyrical modifications but a testament to the unwavering message of God's affection for us. We contemplate how the hymn's chorus, much like an unexpected blessing, serves as a soothing reminder of faith's everyday presence. The episode also touches upon the cathartic power of music and how singing "Jesus Loves Me" can serve as an emotional anchor in times of distress. So, tune in and let us guide you through this melodic exploration of faith, history, and the enduring message of love that the Warner sisters gifted to the world.
SHOW LINKS:
"Jesus Loves Me" performed by Nathan Drake of Reawaken Hymns
"Jesus Loves Me" appears on the album Reawaken Hymns: Volume 4 available here.
The instrumental version of "Jesus Loves Me" used in this episode is from the album Piano Only: Volume 1 from The Hymnal Project. Music arranged and performed by Peter Prochnow with Setting by Benje Daneman. Arrangement © 2018.
Full musical version of "Jesus Loves Me" from The Hymnal Project with video and printable resources available here.
Take a virtual tour of the Warner Historical Home on Constitution Island in New York.
www.thebrightforever.com
All songs used by permission.
The only love that won't disappoint you is one that can't change, that can't be lost, that is not based on the ups and downs of life or how well you live. It's something that not even death can take away from you. God's love is the only thing like that. Timothy Keller, this is the Bright Forever. Hello and welcome to the Bright Forever where each week, we discover the power and richness found in some of the greatest hymns of the faith hey, hey hey, wait a minute, that's my line.
Speaker 3:What are you doing?
Speaker 1:I just wanted to help Wait.
Speaker 3:but what about the opening quote?
Speaker 1:Oh, it's already done. Who did you use? Like you had to ask? Tim Keller, of course.
Speaker 3:Nice, well, okay, then, I guess you've got this handled.
Speaker 1:Yes, okay, you just sit right there Now watch how it's really done. So let's try this again. This is the Bright Forever Cue music. Hello and welcome to the Bright Forever where each week, we discover the power and richness found in some of the greatest hymns of the faith. My name is Lily Pepehouse and my dad will be our host and guide on this, our Adventure Through Hymnity.
Speaker 3:Wow.
Speaker 1:Nice job.
Speaker 3:What do I do now?
Speaker 1:The mic is yours. Guide us.
Speaker 3:Well, alright then. By the way, thanks, baby girl. That was a great intro and for all of you listening out there, it is great to be back with you again this week. As you can hear, I have a co-host this week, my daughter, lily Pepehouse. Say hi, hi, she will be helping, keep me on track and make sure I don't stray too far off topic. The reason I have this amazing co-host is that both she and my oldest, zoe, have been begging to be on the podcast, not just interviewed, but be a part of what I do. So in this season of New Editions to the Bright Forever, you will be blessed with at least a couple of episodes that I co-host with each of the most amazing girls I know. Hey, lily, what about Gemma? Should she co-host one too?
Speaker 1:I'm not sure she doesn't really know how to talk. Yet all she knows is like dog, dad, mom sticks her tongue out a lot.
Speaker 3:I think that could work. No, Okay, maybe not, Although she does say dad a lot. So which is the most important word?
Speaker 1:Dad, dad, dad Dad.
Speaker 3:I think it'll work Well. Today, we'll be diving into the story and significance behind one of the most beloved and familiar hymns of all time. You might have heard this sweet melody at church on Sunday, or at Vacation Bible School, or even in the comfort of your own home. But we're adding a unique twist to the conversation by exploring it through the eyes of a very special guest, my 10-year-old daughter Lily. We'll be delving into what Jesus loves me means to her, the emotions it stirs and why this simple yet powerful hymn continues to resonate across generations. So, whether you're familiar with the hymn or hearing it for the first time, let's begin this delightful exploration of Jesus Loves Me. We hope to explore its simplicity, share its story and perhaps discover its enduring power. So join us as we journey back to the mid-19th century, a time of great cultural and religious fervor in America, as we dive into this cherished hymn by Anna Bartlett Warner.
Speaker 1:But before we begin, don't forget to hit that subscribe button and follow us, so you can never miss an episode. Hey Dad, where's this hymn come from?
Speaker 3:Well, after 1837, we find two remarkable sisters, anna Bartlett Warner and Susan Warner, whose creative talents would intertwine to birth a timeless hymn. The sisters found themselves drawn to writing following what many would see as a devastating hardship. Their father, who had been widowed, lost almost everything and was financially ruined during the Panic of 1837. This led to their family's descent into poverty. Forced to sell their prized home, they relocated to Constitution Island, where the family had an historic summer home adjacent to West Point Military Academy. In an effort to support themselves, the sisters turned to writing and soon found success in their pursuit. Anna, a gifted writer, and Susan, a published author, together would leave an incredible mark on the world of Christian hymnody. Their collaboration culminated in the novel Say and Seal, written in 1860, where Anna's poetic words found their home. It was within these pages that Anna penned a simple yet profound poem expressing the boundless love of Jesus. Little did she know these verses would soon take flight and touch the hearts of millions.
Speaker 1:Well, what was the story about?
Speaker 3:Well, in the novel there's a touching moment where Johnny Fax, a young boy battling illness and on the brink of death, finds solace and peace In the presence of his Sunday school teacher, mr John Linden. Moved by the child's request for a song, mr Linden tenderly begins to sing a new hymn composed of four stanzas. Jesus loves me. This I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to him belong. They are weak, but he is strong. Jesus loves me. He who died Heaven's gates to open wide. He will wash away my sin. Let his little child come in. Jesus loves me, loves me still, though I'm very weak and ill. From his shining throne on high comes to watch me where I lie. Jesus loves me. He will stay close beside me all the way. Then his little child will take up to heaven for his dear sake.
Speaker 1:Well, did it have any music yet?
Speaker 3:Well, that's actually right here where a guy by the name of William Bradbury enters our story. As we've discussed in previous podcasts, bradbury is a renowned composer and music teacher, having composed music to so many of the hymns we still sing today, like he Leadeth Me the Solid Rock Sweet Hour of Prayer, just as I Am. And just so happens that his path crossed with Susan Warners. Upon reading her book and hearing Anna's poignant poem, bradbury was deeply moved and inspired to set the poem to music. The melody that emerged was a tender, evocative and perfectly captured the essence of Anna's heartfelt words.
Speaker 3:Thus Jesus loves me was born, a hymn that resonated with a simplicity and sincerity that has transcended generations. First in Bradbury's hymnal in 1862, it quickly found its way into the hearts of churchgoers and Sunday school attendees across America. In Bradbury's compilation, he preserved all four of Warners stanzas, also adding the popular refrain of yes, jesus loves me. Yes, jesus loves me. Yes, jesus loves me, the Bible tells me so.
Speaker 3:However, he modified the last two lines, introducing a conditional aspect to the promise of heaven. Instead of then, his little child will take up to heaven for his dear sake, he changed it to read If I love him, when I die, he will take me home on high, an alteration that may resonate differently with those with various theological beliefs. Later in her life, anna is said to have penned a new final stanza that reads Jesus, take this heart of mine, make it pure and holy. Thine On the cross, you died for me. I will love and live for thee. Today, it's not uncommon to find a variety of combinations of these verses used by various denominations in all sorts of different countries, so its message of unconditional love and grace has brought comfort and solace to countless people, young and old alike.
Speaker 1:You are old dad.
Speaker 3:Thank you. From humble beginnings within the pages of a novel to becoming a cherished hymn sung by billions, jesus loves me has a legacy that continues to endure, a testament to the power of simply having faith in the love and work of our Savior. As we continue to reflect on the remarkable journey of Jesus loves me and its impact on the lives of so many, let's take a moment to gaze upon this hymn through the eyes of a 10 year old, with the hope that we will be reminded of our own childlike faith and the profound effect that a simple message of love can have on a lost world. So how does it feel to co-host?
Speaker 1:It's actually pretty fun.
Speaker 3:Well, we're talking about. Jesus loves me.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 3:It's the hymn that you chose. Why did you pick this hymn?
Speaker 1:Because I'm pretty familiar with. Jesus loves me. It's a really good hymn that I really like in the last season, like how I did Tastes so sweet. That one I also really liked as well.
Speaker 3:Do you recall ever having it sung to you?
Speaker 1:Yes.
Speaker 3:When.
Speaker 1:So I was so whenever I was really little, we had like this little singing bunny that saying Jesus loves me to us, which was really cute.
Speaker 3:Do you remember me singing it to you?
Speaker 1:Yes.
Speaker 3:Do you remember when I started singing it to you, or not? Probably not. Yeah, probably not. I sing it to you almost every night. For like the first year or two of your life, when I helped put you to bed, I would sing Jesus loves me, that and you are my sunshine. But usually Jesus loves me, but sometimes you are my sunshine. If you still were awake by the end of Jesus loves me, I also sang you are my sunshine. So what comes to your mind when you hear a song like Jesus loves me?
Speaker 1:I think that, like I feel like more secure whenever people are singing to me, because like makes me happy and I just really like how, like every time like I'm scared or sad or upset, like somebody comes around and sings to me sometimes.
Speaker 3:So people sing the song to you, but have you ever sung this hymn before?
Speaker 1:Yes, I actually have Very recently, whenever. So it was actually yesterday whenever we were putting my baby sister to bed and we had to sing it to her like three times.
Speaker 3:We did because she would not go to sleep. Yeah, and then finally she did, after laying down in the bed with her.
Speaker 1:And then she walked back up On top of me, yes, and then we had to sing it to her once more.
Speaker 3:So you said that hearing somebody sing it to you that it makes you feel safe, it makes you feel secure. What about the song makes you feel secure?
Speaker 1:That like. So, like the part that is this I know because I know that God is with me wherever I go. Pretty much it's not like God really never goes on vacation, he's always like helping others and working in your life. And I take it out from the song and then I like really hold on to that piece of the song because like this I know, for the Bible tells me so that's what I really like about that song.
Speaker 3:Really cool. Why do you think a lot of people like to sing Jesus Les me?
Speaker 1:Because it's a really good hymn and it's just heartwarming, kind sweet. It like gives you like good feelings and like happiness.
Speaker 3:What kind of happiness.
Speaker 1:What kind of happiness like whenever you get an A on your math test.
Speaker 3:So it makes you feel happy. What part of the song makes you go? Oh well, this brings me joy, this makes me happy.
Speaker 1:That he like the part where, like it, talks about like how he died for us. Even though he didn't have to, he did it anyway and he knows exactly what's going to happen and he knows exactly what to do and he loves us.
Speaker 3:Does he love us? How do we know?
Speaker 1:The Bible tells us so.
Speaker 3:How does the idea of Jesus loving you make you feel?
Speaker 1:It makes me feel happy with the fact that I'm a sinner and he's perfect, makes me feel really good because you're not normally friends with anybody who's perfect, or true.
Speaker 3:Yeah so but his but he's perfect, and we're not, and yet he loves us anyway.
Speaker 1:Right yeah.
Speaker 3:That's cool why?
Speaker 1:would Jesus love us, because we're his children.
Speaker 3:But we're sinners and he's perfect, so why would he give his life for us?
Speaker 1:Because he wants us to have a life with him, and if he didn't, and if he hadn't died on the cross for us, he wouldn't have let us have a life with him, but he wanted us to. So he died on the cross for our sins, and whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
Speaker 3:That's awesome. That's from John 316, right. Not Romans.
Speaker 1:Not Romans 316.
Speaker 3:So we talked about the history of the song. Did anything in that story, like as I was telling it? Were you like, oh, that's cool.
Speaker 1:Never. Bradbury brought it together into a song from the poem which added a little bit on, and then Anna added a little bit more on right.
Speaker 3:Yeah, so she changed that, that last line.
Speaker 3:Yeah, towards the end yeah, actually you had said that that's. That's one of your favorite parts is that line that she changed, talking about him actually dying on the cross for us and that, and that we have a life because of that and so that's so. That change that she made at the end, that's actually one of your favorite parts of the song. So glad she made that change. One of my favorite things that he added was the refrain yes, jesus loves me. Yes, jesus loves me. Yes, jesus loves me.
Speaker 3:The Bible tells me so. I think that that it just every verse. It just reiterates it reminds me of his love and it reminds me that I find that love by seeking him, by looking into his word and by learning more about him. Each verse it reminds me that the reason for this verse is because of Jesus' love, and then it reminds me the reason I know about Jesus' love is because that's what the Bible tells us about. The Bible is all about God's redeeming love for us, from the beginning in creation, all the way to revelation. It's the story of God's redemptive love that he's redeeming us through Jesus that we sin, we fall, we don't do it right, we never can, and we can't earn it and we can't pay it back. It is just the free gift of God and grace and it's because of Jesus' love for us and that's what the Bible tells us.
Speaker 1:I like that the fact that you said that because that's really cool about the song, like how it keeps reminding you on how Jesus loves you.
Speaker 3:And the reason that we know it's because of his word. And he tells us in his word, over and over again, that we are loved, we are loved, we are child of God and that we are loved by him. It reminds us as adults even me, going back over this hymn, as you and I have been talking about it and as I've been kind of studying it, I've been reminded of it's a really simplistic song, it's a really easy song. It's not like deep, theological, like, and the reason for God's love for us is, you know it says, because the Bible said so. And it's really simple, it's really easy, but it does have a deep truth in it in the fact that his love is showcased for us in his word over and over and over again. And I love the fact that the chorus repeats the line over and over and over again that yes, jesus loves me, yes, jesus loves me, yes, jesus loves me. And the Bible tells me it over and over and over.
Speaker 1:I really liked that response because like, like, like the fact that you talked about, like, like Jesus loves me because, and then like you dig like very, very deep and like you just don't have to hardly explain it at all. The Bible told me, so Okay.
Speaker 3:And we make it so complicated when it's really very simple. We need to know that God loves us, that he died for our sins, that we are forgiven and that our job is to live for Christ. It doesn't have to be more complicated than that. I mean we make it more complicated than that, but it's not more complicated. It's really simple, Like this song is really simple. Does that make sense?
Speaker 1:Yes.
Speaker 3:Are there other ways that you like to express your feelings about your faith besides just in song?
Speaker 1:I like to pray sometimes and read the Bible.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Whenever I'm like feeling like sad, whenever I've like had a bad day.
Speaker 3:And how does that help you?
Speaker 1:How it helps me is like, whenever I read the Bible, it like tells me it redirects me where I'm supposed to be. Like whenever I'm looking to where, like oh, this didn't work, it's terrible. I'm not good at this. I read the Bible and it tells me God's in control. He knows what's going to happen. What if, like the next day, you're like so excited because, say, your favorite restaurant gave you free dessert? I don't know.
Speaker 3:Reading God's word is like getting free dessert.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it makes you really happy Okay.
Speaker 3:Okay, very cool, interesting you. Okay, I just didn't, I didn't catch it at first. Do you enjoy singing or playing musical instruments?
Speaker 1:Yes, I do.
Speaker 3:Like what.
Speaker 1:I like to sing whenever, like sometimes, whenever I'm sad, like sometimes, I like sing hymns or songs that, like make me happy.
Speaker 3:Like worship songs. Yeah, like Jesus loves me worship songs.
Speaker 3:Now one thing when I first started this podcast is about a year and a half ago now One of the things that I loved about Sunday morning was you would sing at the top of your lungs, like you would stand in on Sunday morning and you would just shout, and it was awesome. And you still sing nice and loud. I'm a little bit further away from you now because we're at a different location and a different stage. The stage is so big, it's huge, but I can still hear you sometimes because you're just blasting out and you just love to praise God, which I absolutely think is amazing. What is it about singing to God? That is just that makes you just so excited.
Speaker 1:Because, like you're praising God and like it makes you feel like really happy. Well, it makes me feel really happy that like I get to praise God and I can be a part of the church, because, like Zoe, she goes to kids worship. You and mom both play an instrument on stage and like I'm the only one who like doesn't go anywhere, like big Well, like I do, but like it's not like on stage having a microphone.
Speaker 3:But you play a huge role in our church, even not having a quote unquote job like where you're serving every single week. You do serve every week because your energy and your excitement in worship doesn't just stay in you, it like travels around to everybody else and I've heard it from so many people how much they love seeing you worship because you are just so exuberant and so energetic and you just sing out because you love to sing and so it's really cool to watch you and it's really cool to hear other people tell me how cool it is to watch you and to see you and to see your excitement. So that really is just as much of a leadership job in the church, as much as me being on stage or mommy being on stage or Zoe helping with kids. Church. It's a huge part of the worship that people experience every week and you are part of that, which is really cool. If there's one thing you want people to remember about, jesus loves me what would it be?
Speaker 1:It would be like he loves you, he cares about you and he died the death that we deserved and he lived the life that we couldn't live. But now, and if you believe in him, you'll have a life with him in heaven.
Speaker 3:Very cool. It's been fun having you on. You're welcome. Are you going to co-host every week now? Maybe, Thanks for having me on your show, Lily. You're welcome. We should probably wrap things up, shouldn't we?
Speaker 1:Sure.
Speaker 3:All right, and with that let's cue some transition music, and then we're going to hear Jesus Loves Me by Nathan Drake, of Reawakened Hymns that sound like fun, yeah, cool.
Speaker 2:Jesus loves me. This and now, for the Bible tells me so. The two wants to be with me. He's going through it all, and how can we miss? Jesus Loves Me and everything. Jesus loves me. He who died Heaven's gates to open wide. He will wash away my sin. Let His little child come in. Yes, jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so. Jesus loves me. He will stay close beside me all the way. Thou hast bled and died for me. I will now then live for Thee.
Speaker 1:I will now then live for Thee. That was Jesus Loves Me, performed by Nathan Drake of Reawaken Hymns. For more information about this song and all the amazing resources available at Reawaken Hymns, check out the links in the show notes for this episode. Hey Dad, is there anything more about the history of Jesus Loves Me? That might be interesting.
Speaker 3:Well funny, you should ask. Over the decades, jesus Loves Me has left an indelible mark on the fabric of Christian worship. To the cadets at West Point, the sisters were best known for their Sunday Bible classes that they led at the Cadet Chapel. Summers were a special treat for the cadets. They would race to pile in the flat bottom boat before it filled up and row over to the island for classes. The sisters loved sharing their faith with the cadets, and when they were on military duty the cadets would sing Jesus Loves Me. Neither sister ever got married. Instead, both devoted their lives to spreading the love of Jesus with the cadets at West Point and to their writing. Anne continued holding classes for the cadets for 30 years.
Speaker 3:After the death of her sister, susan In 1915, anna Bartlett Warner died. Following the passing of both her sister and her, the West Point Academy paid tribute to the sisters' unwavering and godly influence over the young men who came through the academy. Anna and Susan Warner were both laid to rest with full military honors in the cemetery at West Point. They remained the only two civilians to have ever been granted this extraordinary honor. Their graves overlook the Hudson River and Constitution Island. At the end of her life, anna gifted the island to the military reservation of West Point, and West Point Academy made the island into a national shrine. Their home is now a museum in their honor.
Speaker 3:It's a testament to the enduring legacy of these two sisters and the hymn that has changed the lives of generations, both old and young, through a simple truth that Jesus loves me. This I know, for the Bible tells me. So Thank you for joining us this week on the Bright Forever. Remember to follow us, like us, review us and, of course, click that subscribe button on whatever podcast app you use and check out all the amazing features available on our website at wwwthebrightforevercom. And we always want to hear from you. There are multiple ways you can do just that. You can always email us at podcast at wwwthebrightforevercom. You can also click the contact us tab at the top of the website and send a message through our contact form. Go to our website and click the radio microphone in the bottom right corner and record a message up to two minutes and let us know what you think about each episode.
Speaker 1:And don't miss an opportunity to show off the fact that you listen to the Bright Forever. Visit our merch store on our website simply by clicking the store tab on the menu.
Speaker 3:Finally, your financial support means the world to us as we continue to reach out to more and more people with a powerful message of these amazing hymns. If you would like to help us reach a greater audience with these hymns, take a moment to go to wwwthebrightforevercom and click the support the podcast tab in the menu. You can also find a link to it in the show notes. You can subscribe by giving three, five, eight or $10 per month to help support what we are doing here at the Bright Forever, and if you're not ready to commit to every month, you can always click the yellow coffee icon at the bottom left of our page and give $5 or greater in a one-time gift through our buymeacoffeecom supporters account. Thank you again for listening and I hope you all have a great week. Before we go, let me close us out in prayer.
Speaker 3:Lord, I thank you so much for your love. That's what this hymn is all about. Jesus loves me. Yes, jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so. God, you remind us every single day, as we continue to preach the Gospel to ourselves. We continue to remind ourselves that you love us and that we stand loved by a God who lived the life we couldn't live and died the death that we deserved so that we could have life, and life abundant and full. And that is the message of this simple song that we have faith in a God who loves us beyond all measure. And so, god, we thank you for that. We thank you for Jesus, we thank you for your love, and we pray that you continue to shower that love, that mercy, that grace on us every single day as we walk this life. God, we love you, we praise you, we give you all the glory and all the honor in Jesus' name. Amen. God bless you all. Have a great week and we will be back here, wait wait, wait, wait, wait.
Speaker 1:I started it, so why don't I end it?
Speaker 3:Okay, you go ahead.
Speaker 1:God bless you all. Have a great week and we'll see you back here next week. We're out you.