One of the most beloved songs of all time, “It Is Well with My Soul,” carries with it a poignant and deeply personal story of loss, faith, and comfort.
Written by Horatio G. Spafford in 1873, this song has become a symbol of peace in the face of life’s greatest trials. Horatio Spafford: a successful businessman and admired citizen of Chicago in the mid-19th century.
His life, however, was marked by a series of tragic events that would shape the words of this song. The first blow came in 1871, when the Great Chicago Fire devastated much of the city, including Spafford’s real estate investments. Despite the financial ruin, Spafford remained hopeful and steadfast in his faith. Then, in 1873, further tragedy struck when Spafford’s four daughters—Annie, Maggie, Bessie, and Tanetta drowned in a horrific shipwreck.
In the 19th century, the North Atlantic Ocean was a particularly perilous area for maritime travel, given its harsh weather conditions and high shipping traffic. While disasters like the Titanic (1912) are more famous, several major shipwrecks in the North Atlantic during the 19th century stand out.
1. SS Atlantic (1873) – 535 deaths.
Sank off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada, en route from Liverpool to New York, after running aground in bad weather. This disaster happened the same year as the Ville du Havre tragedy with a significantly higher death toll.
2. SS Central America (1857) – 425 deaths.
Sank in a hurricane while en route from Panama to New York. Though technically in the mid-Atlantic, it’s often associated with the northern routes due to its destination.
2. SS Ville du Havre (1873) – 226 deaths.
Sank after colliding with the Loch Earn in the North Atlantic. The Spafford women were traveling to Europe on the French ship Ville du Havre, and as they crossed the Atlantic Ocean, the ship collided with another vessel and sank. Horatio’s wife, Anna, survived the disaster and sent a heart-wrenching telegram to her husband that simply read, “Saved alone.”
In his profound grief, Spafford decided to travel to Europe to be with his wife. During the journey, as the ship passed near the spot where his daughters had drowned, Spafford felt a wave of peace wash over him. It was at that moment that he penned the words of “It Is Well with My Soul.” The song expresses the assurance that, despite the overwhelming pain of loss, God’s grace and love remain constant.
The opening verse of the song, “When peace like a river, attendeth my way, / When sorrows like sea billows roll,” reflects Spafford’s internal struggle between profound sorrow and an enduring sense of peace. His trust in God’s plan and eternal promises enabled him to find comfort amid the unspeakable tragedy.
The refrain, “It is well, it is well, with my soul,” became a declaration of his faith—a profound affirmation that, despite the storm of life, his soul could still find peace. Over the years, “It Is Well with My Soul” has resonated with countless people facing their own trials and now a timeless song of hope, comfort, and unwavering faith.
Spafford’s legacy is a testament to the power of trusting in God’s presence and peace, even when the world seems to crumble around us. Today, “It Is Well with My Soul” continues to inspire and uplift people around the world, reminding us that, no matter the circumstances, we can find peace in the truth that, through it all, it is well with our souls.