The chorus was written first: It is based on a similar idea as Hoffman and Showalter’s Leaning on the Everlasting Arms, which was based on Deut. 33:27. Following popular acclaim for the chorus, Stalling wrote several verses to go with it. Copyright for the entire song was first registered in 1976 by Bridge Building Music, Inc. A number of artists have recorded it, including the Blackwood Brothers.
The the first recording of the song stayed on the American Gospel charts for 18 months, and won Nashville's Dove award in 1977.
Books where it was published include
- Praise! Our Songs and Hymns (Singspiration, 1979),
- Hymns of Faith, Tabernacle Publishing Company, Carol Stream, Illonois, USA, 1980
- Favorites Number 9 (Singspiration, 1981).
- Zion Still Sings, Abingdon Press, Nashville,USA, 2007
- One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism: an African American ecumenical hymnal - GIA Publications, Chicago, USA, 2018.
and separate sheet music is available from several sources - links below.
It is set to an unnamed tune, also by Stallings. This has a 3/4 time signature. In the key of G, the first few notes are A B B_ c B A G_ E G_ with accompanying chords G / G7 / C.
Downloads
Examples
Quartet with country-band:
Professional recording with on-screen lyrics and floral background:
Quartet with band:
Soloist with band - concert style performance:
Instrumental - electronic organ:
Lyrics
The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website. A rough outline is:1. The joy I can't explain filled my soul ...
Chorus:
Learning to lean, learning to lean,
I'm learning to lean on Jesus.
Finding more power than I've ever dreamed,
I'm learning to lean on Jesus.
2. Sad broken hearted, at an altar I knelt ....
3. There's a glorious victory, each day now for me ....
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