Page "Fanny Crosby" Paragraph 121

Crosby described her hymn-writing process: ' It may seem a little old-fashioned, always to begin one's work with prayer, but I never undertake a hymn without first asking the good Lord to be my inspiration.

' Her capacity for work was incredible and often she would compose six or seven hymns a day.

Her poems and hymns were composed entirely in her mind and she worked on as many as twelve hymns at once before dictating them to an amenuensus.

On one occasion Crosby composed 40 hymns before they were transcribed.

Her lyrics would usually be transcribed by Alexander Van Alstyne, or later by her half-sister Carolyn " Carrie " Ryder or her secretary Eva C. Cleaveland, as Crosby herself could write little more than her name.

While Crosby had musical training, she did not compose the melody for most of her lyrics.

In fact, in 1903 Crosby claimed that " Spring Hymn " was the only hymn she wrote both the words and music.

In 1906 Crosby composed both the words and music for " The Blood-Washed Throng ", which was published and copyrighted by gospel singer Mary Upham Currier, who was a distant cousin who had been a well-known concert singer.