Relief in times of grief is what Alan Jackson’s “Leaning On The Everlasting Arms” promises. The country music star’s soulful rendition will bring tears to your eyes as it comforts your heart. He included this hymn on his 2006 Precious Memories album. With this, let’s look back on its history as we find refuge in the song.
Song of Refuge
On an afternoon in 1887, Anthony Showalter, a music teacher, received tragic news from two of his former students about the passing of loved ones. The letters made a deep impression on him, and in his reply, he included the verse for Deuteronomy 33: 27. It said how God is our eternal refuge and our everlasting arms. He will push out our enemies and say the words, “Destroy.”
After he sent out the letters, Showalter thought about the verse, making him decide to create a hymn. “Leaning On The Everlasting Love” has an easy flow on the refrain and music, but the new composer was having trouble with the stanzas. And so, he asked his Pennsylvania hymn-writer friend Elisha Hoffman for help. It ended with Hoffman providing the stanzas while Showalter made the refrain and music.
Even up to this day, it has been performed and recorded multiple times by different country music stars, including Alan Jackson, George Jones, Twila Paris, and Norbert Susemihl.
Soulful Melody Of Grief
“Leaning On The Everlasting Arms” is one of the most memorable Alan Jackson gospel songs. In every aspect of the strum of Jackson’s guitar accompanied with a smooth piano melody, the country singer sung the hymn straight from his heart. After all, the planning of his 2006 album “Precious Memories” happened after his father-in-law’s death.
Alan Jackson’s songs always move his audience. Whether it is to laugh, cry or feel strings of different emotions, the multi-awarded crooner never failed to cleanse the heart and soul of his fans. In particular, Alan Jackson‘s “Leaning On The Everlasting Arms” does just that. Click on the video below and find refuge in this famous hymn.
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