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Count Your Blessings Hymn

Thanksgiving, Name Them One by One, See What God Hath Done

Oct 29, 2007

History of the finest thanksgiving hymn "Count Your Blessings," and brief biographies of hymn-writer Johnson Oatman, Jr. and composer Edwin Excell.

"Count your Blessings" has always been a best-loved thanksgiving song. It was written by Johnson Oatman, Jr., and composed by Edwin Excell who created the tune for the hymn.

American Hymn-writer Johnson Oatman, Jr.

Rev. Johnson Oatman, Jr., born on 21st April 1856, near Medford, New Jersey, was one of the important and prolific gospel song writers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As a child Oatman Junior became acquainted with the hymns of the church through the singing talents of his father.

Aged 19, Oatman joined the Methodist Church and years later, granted a license to preach in local Methodist congregations. His mainstream career was in a mercantile business and later as administrator for a large insurance company in New Jersey. At the same time, he wrote over 5,000 hymn texts.

"Count your Blessings" is generally considered to be Oatman's finest hmn. It first appeared in Songs for Young People, compiled and published by Edwin O. Excell in 1897. It has been sung all over the world. One writer has stated, "Like a beam of sunlight it has brightened up the dark places of the earth."

Other Hymns by Johnson Oatman, Jr.

"Higher Ground"
"No, Not One!"

American composer E.O. Excell

E. O. Excell, the composer, is well-known in early gospel hymnody. He was born in Stark County, Ohio, on December 13, 1851. At 20, he became a singing teacher, traveling around the country establishing singing schools. For many years, Excell was associated with Sam Jones, a well-known Southern revivalist. In his time, he was one of the finest song leaders. In addition to writing and composing more than 2,000 gospel songs as well as publishing about 50 songbooks, Excell managed a successful music publishing business in Chicago. While assisting Gypsy Smith in an evangelistic campaign in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1921, he was suddenly stricken at the age of 70 and passed away.

Influence of "Count Your Blessings"

"Count Your Blessings" was received most overwhelmingly in Great Britain. The London Daily, in giving an account of a meeting presided over by Gypsy smith, reported, "Mr. Smith announced the hymn 'Count Your Blessings.' He said, "In South London the men sing it, the boys whistle it, and the women rock their babies to sleep on this hymn." During the revival in Wales it was one of the hymns sung at every service.

To quote the Roman orator and writer Cicero: "A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues."

"Count Your Blessings" Lyrics

Second Stanza

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?

Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?

Count your many blessings every doubt will fly,

And you will be singing as the days go by.

Chorus

Count your blessings

Name them one by one;

Count your many blessings

See what God hath done.

Lyrics and Music

Cyber Hymnal

Source:

101 Hymn Stories by Kenneth W. Osbeck, Kregel Publications (1982)

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