Philip Paul Bliss (1838-1876) was born in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, into a devout Methodist family. The family moved to Ohio and back to Pennsylvania during his younger years, and he was educated mostly by his mother from the Bible. His parents were musical and he developed a passion for singing. At age 11, he left home to make his own living, working in timber camps and sawmills, but he continued to attend local schools as much as he could. At age 18, started to teach at Hartsville, New York. He trained at music schools, conventions and normal schools under J. G. Towner, William B. Bradbury, T. E. Perkins, and T. J. Cook. They persuaded him to teach music. At 20, He taught at Rome Academy, Pennsylvania, and at 22, became an itinerant music teacher. At 26, he moved to Chicago and became known as a singer and teacher, working for Root and Cady Musical Publishers. He formed an association with Dwight L. Moody and frequently led the music at the revival meetings. After a time leading music at the First Congregational Church in Chicago, he was convinced to become a full-time singing evangelist. He travelled extensively in his ministry and Moody encouraged him to take his ministry overseas. He and his wife decided to visit their home in Pennsylvania before going to England, but, as they were riding the train approaching Ashtabula, Ohio, a trestle bridge collapsed. Bliss initially escaped from the wreck, but the carriages caught fire and he returned to try to save his wife. No trace of either body was discovered. He wrote many sacred songs, gospel songs, sheet music songs, and a number of song collections. Many of his pieces appear in the books of George F. Root, Horatio R. Palmer, and others. He occasionally used the pseudonym Pro Phundo Basso.

All are mixed chorus unless noted; some contain divisi.