Fanny Crosby

Frances Jane van Alstyne (née Crosby; March 24, 1820 – February 12, 1915), more commonly known as Fanny J. Crosby, was an American mission worker, poet, lyricist, and composer. She was a prolific hymnist, writing more than 8,000 hymns and gospel songs, with more than 100 million copies printed. She is also known for her teaching and her rescue mission work. By the end of the 19th century, she was a household name.

Crosby was known as the "Queen of Gospel Song Writers" and as the "Mother of modern congregational singing in America", with most American hymnals containing her work. Her gospel songs were "paradigmatic of all revival music", and Ira Sankey attributed the success of the Moody and Sankey evangelical campaigns largely to Crosby's hymns. Some of Crosby's best-known songs include "Pass Me Not, O Gentle Saviour", "Blessed Assurance", "Jesus Is Tenderly Calling You Home", "Praise Him, Praise Him", "Rescue the Perishing", and "To God Be the Glory". Some publishers were hesitant to have so many hymns by one person in their hymnals, so Crosby used nearly 200 different pseudonyms during her career.

Crosby also wrote more than 1,000 secular poems and had four books of poetry published, as well as two best-selling autobiographies. Additionally, she co-wrote popular secular songs, as well as political and patriotic songs and at least five cantatas on biblical and patriotic themes, including The Flower Queen, the first secular cantata by an American composer. She was committed to Christian rescue missions and was known for her public speaking.

Birth and Death Data: Born March 24, 1820 (Brewster), Died February 12, 1915 (Bridgeport)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1899 - 1940

Roles Represented in DAHR: lyricist, songwriter

Notes: Name also appears as Frances van Alstyne, Frances Jane Crosby, Frances J. Crosby, or F. J. Crosby.

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 51-75 of 96 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Columbia 4771 10-in. ca. Jan.-Nov. 1910 Some sweet day by and by Harry Anthony ; James F. Harrison Male vocal duet, with orchestra lyricist  
Columbia 19176 10-in. 12/30/1910 What a gathering Harry Anthony ; James F. Harrison Male vocal duet, with orchestra lyricist  
Columbia 19902 10-in. 5/23/1912 Safe in the arms of Jesus Henry Burr Male vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
Columbia 39484 10-in. 7/8/1914 What a friend Thou art to me Chautauqua Preachers’ Quartette Male vocal quartet, unaccompanied lyricist  
Columbia 46450 10-in. 2/25/1916 Safe in the arms of Jesus Henry Burr Male vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
Columbia 79020 10-in. 3/4/1920 Calling thee Mrs. William Asher ; Homer A. Rodeheaver Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra lyricist  
Columbia 79411 10-in. 9/13/1920 Rescue the perishing Henry Burr Male vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
Columbia 80871 10-in. 2/26/1923 Tell me the story of Jesus Homer A. Rodeheaver Male vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
Columbia 81511 10-in. 1/31/1924 He hideth my soul William McEwan Male vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
Columbia 30320 12-in. 12/6/1909 Saved by grace Gipsy Smith Male vocal solo, with piano lyricist  
Columbia 30842 12-in. ca. 1911 Never give up Gipsy Smith Male vocal solo and organ, with cello lyricist  
Columbia 48882 12-in. 8/7/1916 Saved by grace Oscar Seagle Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
Columbia 49228 12-in. 6/18/1917 Open the gates of the temple Daniel Beddoe Male vocal solo lyricist  
Columbia 49404 12-in. Open the gates of the temple Warren Proctor Male vocal solo lyricist  
Columbia 49954 12-in. 3/28/1921 Open the gates of the temple Charles Hackett Tenor vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
Columbia 49991 12-in. 10/4/1921 Open the gates of the temple Tandy MacKenzie Male vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
Columbia 140839 10-in. 8/11/1925 Safe in the arms of Jesus Franklyn Baur ; Elliott Shaw Male vocal duet, with violin and organ lyricist  
Columbia W144604 10-in. 9/6/1927 Rescue the perishing American Singers Male vocal quartet lyricist  
OKeh S-7743 10-in. Feb. 1921 Open the gates of the temple James Jordon Male vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
OKeh 8844 10-in. Jan. 1925 Jesus is calling Jenkins Family Mixed vocal trio, with guitar and mandolin lyricist  
OKeh 9048 10-in. Apr. 1925 Safe in the arms of Jesus Jenkins Family Mixed vocal trio, with organ lyricist  
OKeh S-70120 10-in. Aug. 1921 Saved by grace Wilfred Glenn Male vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
OKeh S-70222 10-in. Oct. 1921 Safe in the arms of Jesus Charles Hart ; Elliott Shaw Male vocal duet, with organ lyricist  
OKeh 80014 10-in. 4/28/1926 Some sweet day, bye and bye Land Norris Male vocal solo, with banjo lyricist  
OKeh W80953 10-in. 6/1/1927 Jesus is calling Giddens Sisters Female vocal trio, with mandolin and guitar lyricist  
(Results 51-75 of 96 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Crosby, Fanny," accessed April 19, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/102169.

Crosby, Fanny. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 19, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/102169.

"Crosby, Fanny." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 19 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/102169

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