HAVE THINE OWN WAY LORD

  1907

“Have Thine Own Way, Lord” — a brief history

This well-loved Christian hymn comes out of the early 20th-century American holiness movement and is rooted deeply in biblical imagery.

Text (lyrics)

• Author: Adelaide Addison Pollard (1862–1934)

• Date: 1907

Pollard was a Methodist poet and teacher who struggled with disappointment over not being able to go to the mission field as she had hoped. During that season, she spent time reflecting on Jeremiah 18, where the prophet watches a potter shaping clay on a wheel. The image of surrender—allowing God to reshape one’s life—became the heart of the hymn.

The opening line captures that theme perfectly:

“Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.”

Rather than triumph or certainty, the hymn emphasizes yielding, trust, and submission, which is why it’s often used during moments of consecration, prayer, or reflection.

Tune

• Composer: George Coles Stebbins (1846–1945)

• Tune name: ADELAIDE

• Date: 1907

Stebbins was a prominent gospel composer associated with Dwight L. Moody’s revival meetings. He named the tune ADELAIDE in honor of Pollard herself. The melody is simple, gentle, and meditative—intentionally designed to support the hymn’s prayerful tone.

Use and legacy

• Widely included in Protestant hymnals

• Commonly sung during altar calls, communion services, and times of personal dedication

• Especially meaningful in traditions that emphasize spiritual formation and surrender

Why it endures
The hymn’s power lies in its honesty. It doesn’t ask for success or ease—it asks for transformation, even when that involves brokenness or waiting. That makes it timeless and deeply personal for many worshippers.