Annie sherwood hawks biography channel

The hymn “I Need Thee Every Hour” was written by Annie Sherwood Hawks in the 19th century. Annie Sherwood Hawks was born on May 28, 1835, in Hoosick, New York, USA. She was a devoted Christian and an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Despite facing various challenges and health issues, she found solace in her faith and expressed her devotion through her hymn writing.
The inspiration for “I Need Thee Every Hour” reportedly came to Annie Hawks during one of her regular moments of prayer and reflection. She wrote the lyrics in 1872, when she was 37 years old. The hymn is a heartfelt expression of the need for God’s presence and guidance throughout all aspects of life. The words of the hymn reflect a sense of dependency on God’s grace and a desire for His constant presence in times of joy, trials, and challenges.
Annie Hawks shared her hymn with her pastor, Dr. Robert Lowry, who was also a prolific hymn writer and composer. Dr. Lowry composed the music for the hymn, creating a simple and poignant melody that complemented the lyrics perfectly. The hymn was first published in 1872 in a collection titled “Morning and Evening Songs,” which was a collaborative effort between Annie Hawks and Dr. Lowry.
“I Need Thee Every Hour” quickly gained popularity and became a cherished hymn in churches and gatherings. Its relatable theme of reliance on God’s strength resonated with many, making it a staple in hymnals over the years.
The hymn’s enduring appeal and timeless message have ensured its continued presence in various Christian denominations and worship services. Its profound simplicity and depth of meaning continue to touch hearts and inspire individuals in their spiritual journey.
“I Need Thee Every Hour” stands as a testament to Annie Sherwood Hawks’ deep faith and her ability to convey profound spiritual truths through her hymn writing. The hymn’s history

“My brain is a sort of spinning machine, I think, for there is music running through it all the time.” - Dr. Robert S. Lowry

The author for “I Need Thee Every Hour,” Annie Sherwood Hawks, wrote over 400 hymns in her lifetime. Born in Hoosick, New York on May 28, 1835, Hawks had a love for writing poetry, and her poems were published in local newspapers while she was still in her youth.

In the History of Hymns series on the Saints Channel, “I Need Thee Every Hour” was analyzed to discover its origins. Below is an excerpt:

Annie Hawks was the mother of three children when the hymn for which she is best known was written. Annie later wrote, “I remember well the morning when in the midst of the daily cares of my home, I was so filled with the sense of the nearness of the Master, that wondering how one could live without him either in joy or pain, these words ‘I Need Thee Every Hour’ were ushered into my mind. The hymn was wafted out to the world on the wings of love and joy, rather than under the stress of great personal sorrow. It was not until long years after when the shadow of a great loss fell over my way that I understood something of the comforting in the words I have been permitted to write.” When Hawks moved to Brooklyn with her husband, Charles Hawks, at age 24, she met a pastor named Dr. Robert S. Lowry. An accomplished composer, Lowry praised Hawks’s writing and commented, “If you’ll write the words, I’ll write the music.”

Hanson Place Baptist Church was where the two came in contact, and Dr. Lowry seemed to be the perfect composer to collaborate with Hawks. He wrote 500 gospel songs and contributed the music and even some of the lyrics to “I Need Thee Every Hour.” Dr. Lowry had no particular method for writing music and said of his talent, “My brain is a sort of spinning machine, I think, for there is music running through it all the time.”

“I Need Thee Every Hour” is a beloved hymn in The Church

One morning in June 1872, Annie Sherwood Hawks (1836-1918) was doing her housework in Brooklyn, NY, when a poem began to take shape in her mind.

Hawks did not postpone her creativity. She seized the moment, took a break from her busy list of things to do, sat down, and penned the words to “I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR.”

Nor did Hawks modestly tuck her poem away. She honored her creative talents and spiritual longings by taking them seriously. Hanging up her apron, she took the poem to her pastor, Robert Lowry, at the Hanson Place Baptist Church. Dr. Lowry promptly set her words to music and saw to its publication later that same year.

SHE PERSISTED IN THE CREATIVE LIFE

Annie had been writing poems since age 14 and was regularly published in newspapers. She attended public schools and the Troy Seminary, but never earned a diploma.

On her own, she continued to read, study, and write, even after she and her husband moved from the small town of Hoosick, NY to Brooklyn to raise a family.

“I need thee” is repeated 20 times in this intimate hymn about the nearness of Jesus. By her own admission, Hawks didn’t understand “why this hymn had touched the great throbbing heart of humanity” until years later, during a period of loss and grief. Then, at last, she felt “something of the comforting power” of words from her own pen.

After her husband’s death, Hawks moved to Bennington, VT to live with her daughter and son-in-law. By the end of her life, she’d penned lyrics to 400 hymns.

MARY, MARTHA, AND MALE PRIVILEGE  

The anecdote of how Annie briefly put aside her housework for a soul-nourishing moment of creativity recalls the story in Luke 10: 38-42.

Martha was eager to make Jesus and his disciples feel welcomed in her home. The work she was doing was essential. Who can blame her for worrying about details and feeling resentful that her sister wasn’t helping?

Mary,