The Story of “It Is Well with My Soul” by Horatio Spafford
Few hymns have travelled through time with such power, poignancy, and hope as It Is Well with My Soul. Written in 1873 by Horatio Gates Spafford, the song’s lyrics have comforted millions in times of grief, hardship, and uncertainty. But it is the extraordinary backstory of its creation that gives the hymn its enduring emotional weight.
Horatio Spafford was a successful lawyer and devout Presbyterian elder in Chicago. In the early 1870s, his life seemed blessed — a thriving legal career, substantial real estate investments, and a happy family with his wife Anna and their four daughters. But a series of devastating events changed everything.
In 1871, the Great Chicago Fire destroyed much of his real estate holdings, wiping out much of his fortune. Around the same time, the Spaffords’ young son died of scarlet fever. Seeking a time of rest and spiritual renewal, the family planned a trip to Europe. At the last moment, business matters delayed Horatio, so Anna and the four girls sailed ahead on the steamship Ville du Havre.
Tragedy struck on November 22, 1873. The Ville du Havre collided with another vessel in the Atlantic and sank within minutes. All four Spafford daughters perished. Anna survived and was rescued, later sending a telegram to her husband that contained only two haunting words: “Saved alone.”
Horatio immediately set sail to join his grieving wife. During the voyage, the captain informed him when they passed near the spot where the Ville du Havre had gone down. Standing on the deck, gazing over the watery grave of his children, Spafford found the words forming in his heart:
When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
These words became the opening verse of a hymn that would be set to music by Philip Bliss, himself a gifted composer who died tragically in a train accident just three years later.
From that moment, It Is Well with My Soul began its journey into Christian history, sung in churches, revivals, funerals, and even in public moments of collective grief. It has been recorded by countless artists, from traditional choirs to modern worship bands, and performed in styles ranging from classical to gospel to contemporary praise.
What makes the hymn timeless is not only its melody but its message — an unshakable trust in God in the midst of life’s storms. It speaks to anyone who has faced loss or trial, reminding them that faith can bring peace even in the darkest valleys.
Nearly 150 years after Spafford penned those words, the hymn is still sung across the world. It has been featured in films, concerts, and memorial services, and its refrain — “It is well with my soul” — has become a declaration of hope for generations.
Horatio Spafford could never have imagined that the song born from his deepest sorrow would bring comfort to so many. Yet his words continue to ripple across time like that “peace like a river” he wrote about — a testament to the enduring power of faith, resilience, and the belief that, no matter what may come, it truly can be well with the soul.
Present and Future Plans
One of the millions touched by It Is Well with My Soul is Australian David Maegraith — a multifaceted creative, publisher, and producer whose work spans media, music, and film. In 2009, he co-founded Eternity, a national newspaper, and has since spearheaded an array of innovative projects. Among these is It Is Well with My Soul, which now encompasses an official website, a novella, and a planned feature film adaptation. David is also producing Messiah Film, a sweeping outdoor reimagining of Handel’s Messiah performed by choirs across the globe.
David’s primary focus for the coming years is overseeing a series of creative expressions inspired by the story of It Is Well with My Soul. He has already published a novella retelling the events, as well as a musical songbook that will form the foundation of a stage musical set to premiere at the Adelaide Fringe — the world’s second largest fringe festival — in 2026.
A feature film adaptation is also in development, with the script nearing completion and funding and production partners being sought. Alongside the film, David plans to publish both a companion book based on the screenplay and a new work told from the perspective of Horatio Spafford’s wife, Anna — a voice often overlooked in the traditional retelling of the hymn’s origin.
For updates on these projects, check back to this site regularly. For questions or enquiries, email us studio -at- itiswellwithmysoul.com