Jesus Paid it All
Lyrics Elvina Hall, Music John T. Grape
The words to the song Jesus Paid It All were written by Elvina Hall (1822-1889) in 1865. Elvina was a member of the Monument Street Methodist Church in Baltimore, Maryland. The Choir Director of the same church was John Thomas Grape (1835-1915). Unaware of Elvina's composition, Grape composed a tune he called All To Christ I Owe.
The pastor of Monument Street Methodist Church, Rev. George W. Schreck heard the music written by Grape and immediately thought of the verse written by another of his parishioners, Elvina Hall. At the pastor's suggestion, Hall's lyrics and Grape's music were combined, and then sent to Professor Theodore Perkins, publisher of the periodical Sabbath Carols. The hymn quickly became a favorite and has been published in and sung from hymnals across America ever since.
I can hear the Savior say
Thy strength indeed is small
Child of weakness, watch and pray
Find in me thine all in all
Refrain:
Jesus paid it all
All to Him I owe
Sin had left a crimson stain
He washed it white as snow
Refrain
Lord, now indeed I find
Thy power and Thine alone
Can change the leper's spots
And melt the heart of stone
Refrain
For nothing good have I Whereby Thy grace to claim I'll wash my garments white In the blood of Calvary's Lamb
Refrain
And when before thy throne I stand in Him complete. Jesus died my soul to save My lips shall still repeat
Refrain
