Frances Jane Crosby

From The Ohio Anglican:

Frances Jane Crosby (March 24 1820 – February 12 1915) usually known as Fanny Crosby, was an American lyricist best known for her Protestant Christian hymns. A lifelong Methodist, she was one of the most prolific hymnists in history, writing over 8,000 despite being blind since infancy. Also known for her preaching and speaking, during her lifetime Fanny Crosby was one of the best known women in the United States.

The descendant of a famous Puritan family and, yes, related directly to Bing (his father married a Roman Catholic, however). The blog entry (above) claims no hymns in the (lousy) Hymnal 1982, but I have no way of verifying that (because I only have the venerable Hymnal 1940).

Although a bit old-fashioned, these lyrics can be re-interpreted in a more modern way. I used to look down on this sort of music: I was wrong (it wasn't the first time and it won't be the last).