The hymn, HE LIFTED ME, was written by Charles H. Gabriel. He is recognized as one of North America’s most influential and prolific gospel songwriters of the twentieth century. He was born in August 1856 in an Iowa prairie shanty. The neighboring settlers often gathered in the Gabriel home for sessions of singing and fellowship, generally lead by his father. These times probably helped Charles develop his love for music. Soon it was evident that he had a gift for composing. Without formal musical training, he soon began teaching singing schools in the surrounding communities.
Charles, edited thirty-five different gospel songbooks, eight Sunday School songbooks, seven books for male choruses, six for ladies’ voices…and the list goes on with children’s songs, choir cantatas and musical instruction books. His fame as a successful composer became widely known when his songs were used in the large Billy Sunday evangelistic campaigns. For most of his songs, Charles usually wrote both the texts and music. Some of his compositions were published under a pseudonym he would use, namely Charlotte G. Homer.
HE LIFTED ME, this beautiful hymn explains how from the sinking sand of life, Jesus can and will lift us to a solid and eternal salvation. O praise His name!