JESUS LOVES ME

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1860

“Jesus Loves Me” – History of the Hymn

“Jesus Loves Me” is one of the most beloved Christian hymns in the world, especially known as a children’s song. Its simple message and gentle melody have made it timeless.

✍️ Who Wrote It?

  • The lyrics were written in 1860 by Anna Bartlett Warner.

  • The melody was composed in 1862 by William Batchelder Bradbury.

📖 How It Began

The words first appeared as part of a novel titled Say and Seal, written by Anna’s sister, Susan Warner.

In the story, a dying child is comforted with the poem beginning:

Jesus loves me, this I know,
For the Bible tells me so…

The poem was not originally written as a hymn, but as a touching scene in the novel.

🎵 Becoming a Hymn

Composer William B. Bradbury later discovered the poem and set it to music. He added the familiar chorus:

Yes, Jesus loves me…

It was first published as a song in his 1862 hymnal titled The Golden Shower.

🌍 Why It Became So Popular

  • Simple and easy for children to learn

  • Clear biblical message

  • Frequently used in Sunday schools and churches

  • Translated into many languages worldwide

Today, “Jesus Loves Me” remains one of the first songs many children learn in Christian homes and churches.

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