Gospel Songwriter. He is remembered for his numerous gospel tunes, many of which are still available in modern hymnals, including "Send the Light" (1890), "O That Will Be Glory" (1900) "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" (1906, words by Civilla Durfee Martin), "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" (1907, words by Ruth Ada Habershon) and "Since Jesus Came Into My Heart" (1914, words by R.H. McDaniel). His father was a poor farmer and led singing schools in their home, from where he developed his interest in music. Despite not having any formal musical training, he began to travel and lead his own singing schools in various locations around the age of 16. In 1890 he moved to San Francisco, California where he served as the music director at Grace Methodist Episcopal Church. While working there, he was asked to write a song for a mission celebration and composed "Send the Light," which became his first commercial song. In 1892 he moved to Chicago, Illinois where in 1912 he began working with Homer Rodeheaver Publishing Company. During his life, he edited 35 gospel song books, 8 Sunday school song books, seven books for male choruses, six books for ladies, ten children's song books, nineteen collections of anthems, 23 choir cantatas, 41 Christmas cantatas, 10 children's cantatas, and books on musical instruction. His published works include "Gospel Songs and Their Writers" (1915), "The Singers and Their Songs" (1916), "Church Music of Yesterday, Today and for Tomorrow" (1921), and "Golden Bells" (1923). It has been said that he wrote and/or composed between 7,000 and 8,000 songs, some under his name and others under the pseudonyms Charlotte G. Homer, H. A. Henry, and S. B. Jackson. He died at the age of 76. His autobiography is entitled "Sixty Years of Gospel Song."
Gospel Songwriter. He is remembered for his numerous gospel tunes, many of which are still available in modern hymnals, including "Send the Light" (1890), "O That Will Be Glory" (1900) "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" (1906, words by Civilla Durfee Martin), "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" (1907, words by Ruth Ada Habershon) and "Since Jesus Came Into My Heart" (1914, words by R.H. McDaniel). His father was a poor farmer and led singing schools in their home, from where he developed his interest in music. Despite not having any formal musical training, he began to travel and lead his own singing schools in various locations around the age of 16. In 1890 he moved to San Francisco, California where he served as the music director at Grace Methodist Episcopal Church. While working there, he was asked to write a song for a mission celebration and composed "Send the Light," which became his first commercial song. In 1892 he moved to Chicago, Illinois where in 1912 he began working with Homer Rodeheaver Publishing Company. During his life, he edited 35 gospel song books, 8 Sunday school song books, seven books for male choruses, six books for ladies, ten children's song books, nineteen collections of anthems, 23 choir cantatas, 41 Christmas cantatas, 10 children's cantatas, and books on musical instruction. His published works include "Gospel Songs and Their Writers" (1915), "The Singers and Their Songs" (1916), "Church Music of Yesterday, Today and for Tomorrow" (1921), and "Golden Bells" (1923). It has been said that he wrote and/or composed between 7,000 and 8,000 songs, some under his name and others under the pseudonyms Charlotte G. Homer, H. A. Henry, and S. B. Jackson. He died at the age of 76. His autobiography is entitled "Sixty Years of Gospel Song."
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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