Horatio Spafford: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

When Peace Like a River

Horatio Spafford

“When Peace Like a River” as printed in The Canadian Soldiers' Song Book (1918).

Horatio Spafford: Collected Lyrics Text 1 1918 · historical text
Public domainSoldier songHistorical song
Complete public-domain lyrics

This text comes from The Canadian Soldiers' Song Book, a historical songbook transcribed on Wikisource and reproduced from the pinned revision linked below.

Verse 1

When peace like a river attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea-billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say:

'It is well, it is well with my soul!'

Chorus

It is well . . . with my soul! . . .

It is well, it is well with my soul!

Verse 2

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,

Let this blest assurance control,

That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,

And hath shed His own blood for my soul!

Verse 3

My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!—

My sin, not in part, but the whole,

Is nail'd to His cross, and I bear it no more:

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

Credits

Written by Horatio Spafford

Words by Horatio Spafford. Historical text published in The Canadian Soldiers' Song Book (1918); public domain. No claim to a modern recording or arrangement.

Source & text edition

The Canadian Soldiers' Song Book (1918), “When Peace Like a River”

The 1918 published edition is in the public domain in the United States (pre-1931 publication). Entries whose credited author died more than 70 years ago are also in the public domain in life-plus-70 jurisdictions; other entries are held.

How to read this historical text and its source

Read the source on Wikisource

View copyright evidence · Transcription terms (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Retrieved 2026-10-12. Line spacing and section labels are adapted for reading. The displayed text follows the linked edition. Editorial notes and abstract artwork are by 52lyrics.
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