Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
Text by Elisha A. Hoffman (1887). Music by Anthony J. Showalter (1887). Public domain in all jurisdictions.
Verse 1
GWhat a fel-low-ship, what a Cjoy di-vine
GLean-ing on the ev-er-Dlast-ing Garms
GWhat a bless-ed-ness, what a Cpeace is mine
GLean-ing on the ev-er-Dlast-ing Garms
Chorus
GLean-ing, lean-ing, Csafe and se-cure from Gall a-larms
GLean-ing, lean-ing, Dlean-ing on the ev-er-Glast-ing arms
Verse 2
GOh, how sweet to walk in this Cpil-grim way
GLean-ing on the ev-er-Dlast-ing Garms
GOh, how bright the path grows from Cday to day
GLean-ing on the ev-er-Dlast-ing Garms
Verse 3
GWhat have I to dread, what have CI to fear
GLean-ing on the ev-er-Dlast-ing Garms
GI have bless-ed peace with my CLord so near
GLean-ing on the ev-er-Dlast-ing Garms
Structure
Playing Tips
🎸 Strum Pattern — Verse
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms moves at a comfortable 92 BPM in 4/4 with a light, swaying feel. We strum four beats per measure but keep the attack soft on beats 1 and 3 and slightly accented on beats 2 and 4. This creates the gentle rocking motion that matches the resting posture in the text.
🔊 Dynamics — Chorus
The chorus "Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms" is one of the most reassuring refrains in the hymn catalog. We play it warmly and confidently. Not loud, but not tentative either. The congregation needs to feel the security of the text in how we play. Keep the tone steady and settled.
🎵 Band Direction
This hymn has a natural groove to it that some worship teams miss. Piano or acoustic guitar can carry a light rhythmic feel rather than just holding chords. Bass plays quarter notes with a slight swing feel. Light percussion works well here, hi-hat on the offbeats and a soft kick on beat 1.
🎤 Vocal
Key of G is comfortable for this hymn. The melody is repetitive and easy to learn, which makes it great for congregations that are not strong readers. We have used it as a response song at the end of a message about trusting God because the congregation can sing it from memory by the second verse.
→ Transitions
We connect verse and chorus pairs without pause. The transition from verse to chorus is natural because the melodic phrase lands cleanly on the G chord where the chorus begins. After verse 3, we repeat the chorus twice. On the second repeat we drop to acoustic guitar only and let the voices fill the room.