Sometimes, when telling a story or relating an event from the past, the narrative is shortened by the phrase “one thing led to another.” The same thing happens in literature and music; one book leads to another, or one song leads to another. Occasionally, it happens in the writing of hymns and gospel songs. For example, the singing of “O How I Love Jesus” led P. P. Bliss to write “Jesus Loves Even Me,” expressing the Lord’s love for us.
“Jesus Led Me All the Way” came about in that way. During the 1954 Founder’s Week Conference at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Alfred B. Smith was the song leader. With nearly 5,000 Christian leaders singing together, it was like leading a great choir. At the close of one service, Smith had them sing Fanny Crosby’s “All the Way My Saviour Leads Me.” As they sang together in beautiful four-part harmony, Smith had them softly repeat the last line, “Jesus led me all the way,” without the accompanying instruments.
Soon after, Smith and his friend John W. Peterson were discussing the moving experience that the singing of Fanny Crosby’s hymn had been, with the repeating of “Jesus led me all the way.” Smith suggested to Peterson, “Why don’t you write a complete song, using Fanny’s last line as the title?” Peterson was one of the leading sacred-music composers of the twentieth century, having written over 1,000 gospel songs and hymns in addition to thirty-five choir cantatas and musicals. “Jesus Led Me All the Way” became quite popular, regularly used in church services, and recorded by a number of gospel singers.
The song encourages believers to take time to remember the Lord’s leading in the past, helping them to confidently face the challenges of the future. This is so important for the believer living in a world of uncertainty. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. (Psalm 73:24)
1. Some day life’s journey will be o’er,
And I shall reach that distant shore;
I’ll sing while ent’ring heaven’s door,
“Jesus led me all the way.”
Refrain:
Jesus led me all the way,
Led me step by step each day;
I will tell the saints and angels
as I lay by my burdens down,
“Jesus led me all the way.”
2. If God should let me there review
The winding paths of earth I knew,
It would be proven clear and true–
“Jesus led me all the way.”
3. And hitherto my Lord hath led,
Today he guides each step I tread;
And soon in heav'n it will be said,
“Jesus led me all the way.”
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