BIO: Hope somewhat can confirm that this lady had Irish roots. I suspect that she has but not positive, but since Catholicism is usually featured on the Irish List I thought that I would take a chance that this Protestant woman had Irish ancestors. Her name sounds Irish to me. Frances Jane CROSBY was born in Putnam Co. NY in 1820 and died in Bridgeport, CT in 1915. What makes her story so special is that she was probably the most prolific hymnist in history, composing the lyrics to more than 8,000 songs and using 200 different pen names! When Frances was six weeks old she developed an eye infection and was mistreated by a doctor with resultant blindness. Shortly thereafter, her father died. This talented lady wrote many poems and songs beginning as a child. She felt that her blindness had been a "gift from God" to eliminate unnecessary distractions. She attended the Institute for the Blind in New York City. Her admirers included great political, religious leaders of her time -- including several US presidents -- and those in the music field. She was happily married but her only child died at a young age. Frances wrote her autobiography (1906) entitled "Memories of Eighty Years." On April 30, 1868, a Dr. W. H. DOANE came to her house and asked her if she would write words to a melody before his train left in 40 minutes. In half that time she had written the beautiful words to "Safe In The Arms Of Jesus." Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe on His gentle breast, There by His love o'ershaded, sweetly my soul shall rest. Hark! 'tis the voice of angels, borne in a song to me. Over the fields of glory, over the jasper sea. Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe on his gentle breast There by His love o'ershaded, sweetly my sound shall rest. In 1873, her friend, Mrs. Joseph F. KNAPP, composed a melody and played it for Frances two or three times on the piano. She then asked what it said. Ms. Crosby replied, "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!" This hymn was sung in the 1985 Academy Award winning movie, "Trip to Bountiful." Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood. This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior, all the day long; This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior, all the day long. Perfect submission, perfect delight, Visions of rapture now burst on my sight; Angels descending bring from above Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.