Peace Like a River

I am listening to the "Haven't Heard Lately" playlist on my iPod right now. This is an Auto Playlist composed of songs that are rated 4 or 5 stars that I have not heard in the last 90 days. The song It Is Well With My Soul from Amy Grant's Legacy... Hymns and Faith Album just came on. This song is a medley of two popular hymns, It Is Well with My Soul/The River's Gonna Keep on Rolling. Lyrics:

It Is Well With My Soul

When peace like a river attendeth my soul
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well with my soul...

You can tell someone you love 'em
From the bottom of your heart
And believe that it's the truest thing you've known
And even if you never break the promises you make
The river's gonna keep on rolling on

And if you haven't got a dollar
Not a penny to your name
Somebody's gonna miss you when you're gone
And even if you never find
Just A Little Peace of Mind
The river's gonna keep on rolling on

Keep on rollin' to the ocean
Keep on rollin' to the sea
Keep on rollin' 'till the love we need
Washes over you and me

God's love is like a river
At every turn and every bend
And faith in Him will turn your heart around
'Cause even though we sin,
There's forgiveness in the end
And the river's gonna keep on rollin' on

Keep on rollin' to the ocean
Keep on rollin' to the sea
Keep on rollin' 'till the love we need
Washes over you and me
Keep on rollin' 'till the love we need
Washes over you and me...

It is well with my soul
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

I took this CD to the hospice to play in the background while my great aunt was facing her final days. This is the track that was playing when she passed away on June 14, 2003. I listened to this song over and over again in the days right after her death.

The hymn "It Is Well With My Soul" has an amazing story behind it. It was penned by a man by the name of Horatio Spaffor who was a lawyer in Chicago and helped numerous others put their lives back together after the great Chicago fire of 1871 in which he lost his only son. After two years of hard work he decided to take his family on a vacation in Europe. At the last minute Mr. Spaffor was unable to leave and sent his wife and daughter ahead and planned to travel a few days behind them.

The ship, the Ville de Havre, with the women aboard never made it. Off the coast of Newfoundland, it collided with an English sailing ship, the Loch Earn, and sank within 20 minutes. Though Mrs. Spaffor survived (one of only 47 survivors among hundreds), their four daughters--Maggie, Tanetta, Annie, and Bessie--were killed.

In the days following the tragedy Spafford penned one of the most beautiful hymns every written. The context gives the lyrics such greater depth and have always left me wondering how someone in the midst of such overwhelming loss can find peace like a river.

This song remind me of my Aunt Mary and how even in timing of her death she made a statement!