It Is Well with My Soul Lyrics in Large Print: Free PDF
The words of It Is Well with My Soul are here in large print, one sheet at 18, 24 or 28 point. Horatio G. Spafford wrote the words in 1873, and they were published in 1876. They were published before 1930, so they are public domain in the US and free to copy.
| Words by | Horatio G. Spafford, written 1873, published 1876 |
|---|---|
| Music | Philip P. Bliss, 1876, tune Ville du Havre |
| Type size | 18, 24 or 28 pt |
| Paper | US Letter, A4 or 11 x 17 in, white or cream |
It Is Well with My Soul in large print: words and download
It Is Well with My Soul
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!'
It is well with my soul!
It is well, it is well with my soul!
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul!
My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!—
My sin, not in part, but the whole,
Is nail'd to His cross, and I bear it no more:
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
Words: Horatio G. Spafford (written 1873, published 1876). Music: Philip P. Bliss (1876). Public domain in the United States: words published 1876 (US, published 1929 or earlier).
The words above are set the way this site sets every song: left aligned, one column, plain type with no italics, and a blank line between stanzas. The sheet has 4 stanzas and 14 lines. It Is Well with My Soul is one of the songs in our large print hymns collection, where you can print it with others in one PDF, and the whole set of texts is listed on the large print prayers and hymns page.
Who wrote It Is Well with My Soul and when?
Wikipedia gives the background. Horatio Spafford was a Chicago lawyer whose property investments were ruined by the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. In 1873 he sent his wife and four daughters ahead to England on the steamship Ville du Havre. The ship sank after a collision, and his four daughters died. His wife survived. As he travelled to join her, he was inspired to write the words.
The hymn was first published in Gospel Hymns No. 2, compiled by Ira Sankey and Philip Bliss, in 1876. Bliss named his tune for the ship. It is written for people who are grieving, which is why it is often chosen for memorials.
When is It Is Well with My Soul sung?
It is sung at funerals, memorial services and in times of loss, and by congregations that want a hymn of trust rather than celebration. If you are planning a folder of songs for the same occasion, the sheets for Abide with Me, Amazing Grace and What a Friend We Have in Jesus use the same layout, so they sit well together.
How do you print It Is Well with My Soul for a service, a sing-along or a care-home visit?
In our layout tests on US Letter paper, It Is Well with My Soul takes 1 page at 18 point, 2 at 24 point and 2 at 28 point. On 11 x 17 paper at 24 point it takes 1 page. Eighteen point is the smallest size we offer, because the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) says print below 18 point is not large print, and our page on what large print is explains the reasons for 18, 24 and 28 point.
Count the singers first. For a church service, print one copy for each place and keep a small stack at the door. For a sing-along, one for each person. For a care-home visit, one for each resident plus the helpers, printed single-sided so the sheet lies flat on a lap tray. It is a good hymn to print for someone who is grieving, and to hand to them rather than pass around a room. Choose the size that person reads most easily, and offer cream paper.