It Is Well with My Soul
Written 1873 by Horatio G. Spafford. Music by Philip P. Bliss. Published 1876. Public domain.
Verse 1
DWhen peace like a river atGtendeth my Dway
When sorrows like Dsea billows Aroll
WhatDever my lot, Thou hast Gtaught me to Dsay
It is Dwell, it is A7well with my Dsoul
Chorus
It is Awell with my Dsoul
It is Gwell, it is A7well with my Dsoul
Verse 2
DThough Satan should buffet, though Gtrials should Dcome
Let this blest asDsurance conAtrol
That DChrist hath regarded my Ghelpless esDtate
And hath Dshed His own A7blood for my Dsoul
Verse 3
DMy sin, oh the bliss of this Gglorious Dthought
My sin, not in Dpart but the Awhole
Is Dnailed to the cross and I Gbear it no Dmore
Praise the DLord, praise the A7Lord, oh my Dsoul
Verse 4
And DLord, haste the day when my Gfaith shall be Dsight
The clouds be rolled Dback as a Ascroll
The Dtrump shall resound and the GLord shall deDscend
Even Dso, it is A7well with my Dsoul
Playing Tips
🎸 Strum Pattern — Verse
Play verses 1 and 2 with a soft fingerpick. Pluck the bass string on beat 1, then gently brush the rest of the strings. This quiet approach honors the depth of the lyrics. Horatio Spafford wrote this hymn after losing his four daughters in a shipwreck, so the music should carry that weight.
On the chorus "It is well," switch to a gentle strum. Keep it soft. The strength of this chorus comes from the congregation singing together, not from a loud band. Let the voices carry it.
🔊 Dynamics — Verse
Build slowly across all four verses. Play verse 1 with just guitar or piano. Add bass and soft keys on verse 2. Bring the full band in on verse 3 ("My sin, not in part but the whole") since that is the most powerful lyrical moment. Verse 4 should feel hopeful and forward-looking.
The chorus is short, just two lines. Keep it tender rather than triumphant. The big emotional moment should be verse 3, not the chorus. Save your energy for that.
→ Transitions
After verse 4, before the final chorus, pause briefly on the word "descend." Let it hang in the air for a moment before the chorus begins. This gives the congregation space to feel the meaning of the words.
🎵 Band Direction
This song works best with space. Do not fill every moment. A string pad or soft synth adds emotional depth. Bass should stay low and slow, playing only root notes. Less is more here.
🎤 Vocal
Key of D is comfortable for male voices. If your worship leader is female, a capo on the 3rd fret moves it to F, which is easier to sing. Consider sharing the story behind this hymn before singing it. It often moves people deeply when they understand what Spafford was going through.