The song references many Bible verses, including Romans 5 ("Jesus' sacrifice gives life") and Isaiah 1:18 ("a crimson flow").

[1] The song lyrics were written in 1865 by Elvina M. Hall, a 45-year-old widowed congregant.

[2] One Sunday morning, with an extremely long pastoral prayer, and a continuous sermon, Mrs. Hall's thoughts began to wander while sitting in a choir loft at the Monument Methodist Episcopal Church in Baltimore, Maryland.

[5] Coincidentally, that same week the church organist (and coal merchant), John Grape (1835-1915), shared some new music, entitled "All To Christ I Owe," with the same pastor who thought the lyrics and song fit well together.

"[7] The song has been covered by many notable musicians, including Lory Bianco, Colton Dixon, and Forrest Frank.