James McGranahan (1840-1907) was born in Adamsville, Pennsylvania. Growing up on the farm, his father sent him to singing school and he soon became assistant and played bass viol. At age 19, he started his own singing school. He attended the Normal Music School in Geneseo, New York, and later studied with George F. Root, James G. Webb and others. He also studied under Sir George A. Macfarren of London. He taught at music institutes throughout the region, many with his friend C. C. Case, and considered a career as an opera singer. He chose to pursue a life of evangelism, traveling throughout the United States and Great Britain. He wrote many hymns, in particular with co-authors Major Daniel Webster Whittle and Ira D. Sankey. Much of his music was popular with the ministries of Dwight Moody. He is noted for writing the music to the hymn “I Left It All With Jesus.” An early missionary to Hawaii, Rev. Lorenzo Lyons, wrote alternative lyrics and the song became known as “Hawaii Aloha,” a song often sung at the close of public political, spiritual, educational and sporting events. His nephew, H. H. McGranahan, was also a successful musician and composer. He died in Kinsman, Ohio.

All are mixed chorus unless noted; some contain divisi.