Hymn #327: Jesus Loves Me | First Congregational Church

Anna Bartlett Warner (1820-1915) collaborated with her sister Susan to write these simple words, which are often the first religious song children learn. The text appeared in an 1860 novel entitled Say and Seal, also written by Susan, and the words and music were published in Golden Shower (1862).

Anna B. Warner lived with her sister at Good Crag on Constitution Island in the Hudson River, near West Point, New York. They conducted Sunday-school classed for the cadets for many years. Warner died at age ninety-five and was accorded military honors. Her home is now a national shrine.

William Batchelder Bradbury (1816-1868), “the father of Sunday-school music,” composed this melody. It is named JESUS LOVES ME here but called CHINA in other hymnals because missionaries reported that it was a favorite of Chinese children. Bradbury wrote the tune for Warner’s text and added the refrain.

William B. Bradbury, a native of York, Maine, served as organist for churches in Boston, Massachusetts, Brooklyn, and New York City and composed many lively tunes that were easy to sing, Bradbury, with his brother, established a family business known as the Bradbury Piano Company in 1854.