In the late nineteenth century, Philip P. Bliss was one of the most celebrated names in sacred music. As a gifted singing evangelist and composer, he blessed the global church with beloved classics like “Hallelujah, What a Savior!” and composed the timeless tune for “It Is Well with My Soul.” Known for his ability to translate deep spiritual truths into clear and simple melodies, Bliss was at the absolute height of his ministry at just 38 years old. However, his brilliant career was cut short by a sudden tragedy that shocked the nation, leaving behind an artistic legacy that was completed only after his death.
The Ashtabula Rail Disaster
On December 29, 1876, Philip Bliss and his wife, Lucy, were traveling by train to Chicago to assist with a series of evangelistic meetings. As the locomotive attempted to cross a trestle bridge during a blinding snowstorm in Ashtabula, Ohio, the wooden structure collapsed. The train plummeted 75 feet into an icy ravine, and a devastating fire quickly broke out, fed by the train’s coal-burning stoves. While Bliss initially managed to escape through a window, historical accounts note that he rushed back into the burning wreckage in a brave attempt to save his pinned wife. Neither survived, and their sudden deaths threw the musical and religious communities into deep mourning.
The Miracle of the Surviving Trunk
Though the fire consumed the train and took the lives of the passengers, it did not destroy the music Bliss had prepared for the future. Due to a delay earlier in the journey, the couple’s heavy baggage had been transferred and sent ahead to Chicago on a different train. When his surviving trunk was opened after the disaster, friends discovered a collection of unpublished poems and lyrics. Among these papers was the text for an unfinished hymn that began with the poignant lines, “I know not what awaits me, God kindly veils my eyes.” Tucked safely inside the same trunk were the complete lyrics to another masterpiece, “I Will Sing of My Redeemer.”
Finishing the Redeemer’s Song
While Philip Bliss had fully written the words to “I Will Sing of My Redeemer,” he passed away before he could compose the music for it. Recognizing the profound beauty of the lyrics, his close friend and fellow composer, James McGranahan, stepped forward to complete the unfinished work. McGranahan wrote a majestic, uplifting melody that perfectly matched the joyful, resilient tone of Bliss’s words. The completed song went on to achieve historic significance, eventually becoming one of the very first hymns ever recorded on Thomas Edison’s newly invented cylinder phonograph, ensuring that Bliss’s final message reached millions worldwide.
A Recommended Legacy of Hope
Today, studying the tragic end of Philip Bliss offers a highly recommended lesson in resilience and the enduring power of art. Even though his life was abruptly cut short, the clear and simple truths he penned in his final days survived the flames to comfort future generations. Songs like “I Will Sing of My Redeemer” continue to influence worship because they represent a faith that outlasts earthly suffering. By looking back at how his community rallied to finish his work, modern listeners are reminded that a dedicated life leaves a lasting echo, proving that a true legacy can never be silenced by tragedy.
