Hymn Story, on NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD OF JESUS, by William Petersen

Robert Lowry, who wrote this hymn, wore many hats. He was a professor of literature at Bucknell University for a while, and he served as pastor of churches in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. He liked to write music for gospel songs, and he worked with Fanny Crosby and others as a lyricist. Occasionally he would write both words and music as he did for the triumphant Easter hymn “Low in the Grave He Lay” and this one, “Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.”

There’s a simplicity about this tune. It has a five-note range, the basses have only two notes to sing, and the guitar players have just two basic chords. But Lowry might say that it is simple because salvation is simple. We try to complicate it, to add more chords and harmonies to it, but salvation is really “nothing but the blood of Jesus.”

Scriptures: Matthew 26:28; Romans 5:9; Hebrews 9:22; 

Themes: Crucifixion, Sins, Salvation.

Lyrics of the Hymn: 

What can wash away my sin? 

Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Oh! precious is the flow that makes me white as snow; 

No other fount I know, nothing but the blood of Jesus.

For my pardon this I see—

Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my cleansing, this my plea—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Nothing can for sin atone—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Naught of good that I have done—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

This is all my hope and peace—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
This is all my righteousness—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

By ROBERT LOWRY (1826–1899)

Reference for the Hymn:
Petersen, William. The Complete Book of Hymns (pp. 621-622). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.