Send a Great Revival in My SouL

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 1925

Here’s a concise history and background on the hymn “Send a Great Revival in My Soul” — sometimes just called “Send a Great Revival”:

🕊️ Origins & Author

  • The hymn was written and composed by Baylus Benjamin McKinney (often abbreviated B. B. McKinney), an American gospel songwriter and music editor.

  • McKinney was born in 1886 and died in 1952.

  • He studied music extensively (including at Southwestern Baptist Seminary and Bush Conservatory) and later worked as a music editor, shaping much church song repertoire in the early 20th century.

🎼 Hymn Publication

  • The song was first published around 1925 under the title “Send a Great Revival.”

  • It has appeared in many hymnals over the years, including the Baptist Hymnal (1991 and 2008 editions) and other denominational songbooks.

  • Sometimes the chorus itself — “Send a great revival in my soul…” — is listed as the hymn’s title in older hymnals.

✨ Meaning & Theme

  • This hymn is a prayer for spiritual awakening and renewal. The words ask God to pour out His Holy Spirit, cleanse the believer’s heart from sin, and ignite fresh zeal for Christ.

  • Its theme reflects the importance of revival in Christian life — both personally (renewal in the soul) and collectively (renewal among God’s people). Many churches have used it in services focused on spiritual renewal or revival meetings.

🎵 Musical Notes

  • The hymn is usually sung to a tune called “Travis Avenue,” also by McKinney.

  • It features an irregular meter and a memorable refrain emphasizing the plea for the Holy Spirit’s control in the believer’s life. 

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