The hymn was written in 1873 by the American lawyer, Horatio Spafford. In November of that year his wife and four children were on a boat sailing from Chicago to London. The ship was rammed and sank almost immediately. His four children were drowned and only his wife was saved. She telegrammed him with the words, ‘ Saved alone…’ Horatio travelled to London passing over the spot where the disaster happened. At that moment the lyrics for the hymn came to him.
‘When peace like a river attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well with my soul.’