Philip P. Bliss was an American gospel composer, singer and songwriter in the late 19th century. Though his life was tragically cut short at age 38, Bliss left behind a rich legacy of gospel hymns that are still loved and sung in churches today.
Bliss was born in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania on July 9, 1838. His family lived on a farm and he spent much of his childhood working on the land. However, Bliss was musically gifted from a young age. He taught himself to play the accordian and flute as a child and loved to sing. At age 10, Bliss got his first music instruction from a teacher named Thomas Hastings.
In 1856, at age 18, Bliss moved to Elk Run, Pennsylvania where he worked as a schoolteacher. During this time, he began taking formal violin lessons and singing in the local choir. He continued teaching and performing music locally until 1864 when he enrolled at the Normal Academy of Music in Geneseo, New York.
After graduating in 1865, Bliss became an itinerant music teacher, traveling around conducting singing schools and teaching music classes. It was during this time that Bliss’ composing career really began. His first published hymn was “Lora Vale” in 1864. Over the next decade, Bliss composed dozens more hymns and gospel songs.
Some of Bliss’ most well-known hymns include “Almost Persuaded”, “Hallelujah, What A Savior!”, “Wonderful Words of Life”, “Let the Lower Lights Be Burning”, and the tune for “It Is Well With My Soul”. Bliss had a gift for writing catchy, singable melodies that connected with common people.
In 1869, Bliss met evangelist Dwight L. Moody and began working for him as a soloist, song leader, and composer. Bliss provided the music for Moody’s revival meetings all over the country. This partnership gave Bliss national exposure and opportunities to share his music.
In 1874, Bliss moved his family to Chicago to work full-time composing gospel tunes. The next few years were hugely successful for Bliss, as he published new songbooks and toured sharing his music. Some of Bliss’ most famous hymns like “Almost Persuaded” and “Hallelujah, What a Savior!” were written during this fruitful Chicago period.
Sadly, Philip Bliss’ promising musical career was cut short when he died in a tragic train crash in Ashtabula, Ohio on December 29, 1876. He was only 38 years old. Bliss and his wife were traveling to Chicago by train to join Moody for a revival meeting. That night, a railroad bridge collapsed plunging the train into a river gorge. Bliss managed to escape the wreckage, but went back in to try and rescue his wife. Tragically, they both perished.
Though his life ended prematurely, Bliss left an incredible legacy through his hymns and gospel songs. In his short career, Bliss composed over 1,000 songs and hymns, though not all were published. Many of his most popular pieces like “Almost Persuaded” continue to be sung in churches around the world today.
Bliss’ hymns had a simple and melodic style that made them accessible to average churchgoers. He favored major keys and repetitive refrains that were easy for congregations to pick up. The lyrics focused on salvation, heaven and living a Christian life.
Some key features of Bliss’ musical style include:
- Simple, singable melodies
- Repetitive choruses
- Lyrics focused on gospel themes
- Heavy use of major keys
- Harmonic structures similar to folk music
- Rhythmic drive that built momentum
Bliss’ talents went beyond just composing. He was also an excellent singer and musician. His baritone voice attracted crowds at revivals. He played instruments like violin, cornet, piano and organ. Bliss even did all his own musical arrangements and accompaniment.
Philip Bliss helped reshape American hymnody in the 19th century through his uniquely American gospel tunes. Some of the ways Bliss influenced gospel music include:
- Made music more emotionally expressive
- Incorporated more rhythm and syncopation
- Used simpler language than traditional hymns
- Focused on gospel and salvation themes
- Melodies were similar to popular music of the day
Bliss’ approachable musical style helped make gospel music more accessible for revivals and evangelism. His songs resonated with common people in a way more traditional hymns did not. As such, Bliss played a pivotal role in the growing popularity of gospel music in the late 1800s.
Several aspects of Bliss’ personal life and character also contributed to his successful career as a gospel songwriter:
- He had little formal music training, which gave his music a simple, folk-like quality.
- Bliss had great determination and perseverance. He overcame early poverty and lack of education.
- He was a devoted family man and Christian. Bliss lived what he wrote about.
- Bliss had tremendous energy and work ethic, composing prolifically.
- He was flexible and adaptable, willing to write music for choirs or soloists.
- Bliss had a keen business sense and savvy for promotion.
Bliss’ untimely death at age 38 cut short his gospel music career. However, in his short life he managed to have an incredible influence on American hymnody and gospel music. Though he lacked extensive formal training, Bliss had a God-given musical talent that he used mightily for the glory of God.
The legacy of Philip Bliss lives on today through the dozens of beloved hymns he penned. Millions around the world continue to sing “Almost Persuaded”, “Hallelujah, What A Savior!” and other Bliss gospel standards. His ability to capture deep spiritual truth through simple, singable music is still impacting the church today.
Some quotes about the life and legacy of Philip P. Bliss:
“His melodies appeal to all classes of Christians, and especially to the young, containing in marked degree the popular quality so captivating to the masses.” – D.W. Whittle
“Mr. Bliss’s work abides. It was genuine, unaffected, melodious, simple, tender, powerful.” – Ira D. Sankey
“Few men of his time did more than Philip P. Bliss to spread the gospel among all classes through the medium of sacred song.” – H.L. Gilmour
“Though his life was short, and his public career covered only twelve years, Mr. Bliss exerted a wider influence for good than many whose lives were prolonged through the ordinary span.” – Charles M. Alexander
“His songs appeal to humanity through their melodious beauty, while at the same time they call us to deeper surrender to Christ.” – John Bae
In the decades after Bliss’ death, his contribution to gospel music continued to be recognized and celebrated. Many biographies and songbooks featuring his works were published. Schools and churches were named after him. In Rome, Pennsylvania where he grew up, a large stone monument was erected at his gravesite.
Bliss was posthumously inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1982. He was an inaugural inductee, demonstrating his foundational influence on the genre. Bliss’ song “It Is Well With My Soul” was added to the list of Songs of the Century by the Recording Industry Association of America.
Today, Philip P. Bliss’ hymns remain a staple in church hymnals and gospel music collections. Artists like Elvis Presley, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis and others have recorded versions of his songs over the years. His ability to fuse beautiful melodies with powerful lyrics ensures Bliss’ music continues to inspire and uplift generations to come.
Though his life was tragically cut short at just 38 years old, Philip P. Bliss left an indelible mark on gospel music in America. Through his simple, melodic hymns, Bliss helped spread the good news of salvation to the masses in the late 1800s. He helped pave the way for gospel music as we know it today.
Key facts about Philip P. Bliss:
- Born: July 9, 1838 in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania
- Died: December 29, 1876 (age 38)
- Married: Lucy J. Young in 1859. They had 2 surviving children.
- Career: Taught singing schools, composed over 1,000 hymns and gospel songs
- Best Known Works: Almost Persuaded, It Is Well With My Soul, Let the Lower Lights Be Burning, Wonderful Words of Life
- Collaborators: Dwight L. Moody, Ira D. Sankey, James McGranahan
- Influences: American folk hymns, camp meeting spiritual songs
- Musical Style: Simple, melodic, repetitive, rhythmic, energetic
- Death: Perished in Ashtabula train disaster in Ohio in 1876
In summary, Philip P. Bliss was a highly influential American gospel songwriter and composer in the late 1800s. Though he came from humble beginnings with little formal training, Bliss had a God-given musical talent that he devoted fully to the service of the Lord. The enduring popularity of hymns like “It Is Well” and “Almost Persuaded” are a testament to Bliss’ gift for writing accessible, singable gospel music that touched hearts and brought people closer to their Savior.