Nothing but the Blood

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 1876


“Nothing but the Blood” is a classic Christian hymn with a pretty clear—and meaningful—backstory.

Origins

Text & tune: Written by Robert Lowry

Date: 1876

Place: United States

Lowry was a Baptist minister, professor, and prolific hymn writer.

How it was written
According to accounts from Lowry himself, he didn’t sit down planning to write a famous hymn. The words came during a moment of personal reflection on salvation and redemption, especially the Christian belief that forgiveness comes only through the blood of Jesus Christ. The refrain—“Nothing but the blood of Jesus”—was meant to be simple, direct, and theologically clear.

Theological theme
The hymn centers on:

Atonement (sins forgiven through Christ’s sacrifice)

Justification by faith, not works

Assurance of salvation

Each verse asks a question (“What can wash away my sin?”) and answers it decisively with the refrain.

Musical style

Written in a simple, memorable gospel style

Easy for congregational singing

Reflects the revivalist hymn tradition of the 19th century

Spread and legacy

Quickly adopted in Baptist, Methodist, and evangelical churches

Became a staple in revival meetings and hymnals

Still widely sung today, including in modern worship arrangements

Often taught to children because of its repetitive structure and clear message

Why it endures

The language is plain and powerful

The message is central to evangelical Christianity

The melody is easy to learn and emotionally resonant

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