1987 Song Book

I shall not fear though darkened clouds may gather round me

In April 1956, while the author was on the Staff of the training College in New York, his brother was seriously ill, and a month later he also was unwell and had to wait six weeks for the diagnosis of his illness. During this time of uncertainty, The chorus was born. He said that it 'evolved' at the piano keyboard and the first verse was written that same afternoon. Six months later, after he had taken up a corps appointment at Newburgh,New York, he added what is now the third verse, when he was asked to sing a duet with his wife at an officers' retreat. afterwards, when asked for copies, he wrote another verse and the duet arrangement of the song was published in The War Cry, New York, 13 April 1957. Later it was arranged by Erik Leidzen for music leaders' councils in the USA Eastern Territory and was included in The Musical Salvationist, July-August1960. The author said, 'I have often heard the song used tearfully and with stressed solemnity, particularly in relation to sickness and death. Although it was born at such a time, it was not conceived by me in that manner, but rather as an expression of virile faith and forthright courage. I always use it at a quicker tempo.