Count Your Blessings (When upon life’s billows)

This is a gospel-style song of thankfulness. Most sources attribute the lyrics to American Methodist preacher Johnson Oatman Jnr (1856 - 1922), although some suggest it was written by gospel singer-songwriter Ira D Sankey (1840 – August 13, 1908).

It was first published in Edwin O. Excell's book, "Songs for Young People" in 1897, where it is set to a tune which Excell wrote - and this tune is the one that the song is almost-always sung to today.

There are several other hymns and popular songs with the same title.

Downloads

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PowerPoint slides

SAB choral arrangement SAB by Hojun Lee

Examples

Singer with guitar-led band:

Female solo singer with piano based backing:

Choir and congregation with organ:

Duet with synthesiser backing track:

Instrumental - piano:

Lyrics

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Chorus:
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings. Wealth can never buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be disheartened, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.