‘In the Sweet By-and-By’

"Aminta's Lament," between 1614 and 1615, by Bartolomeo Cavarozz. What began as a musical exercise to comfort a friend remains an integral part of hymnals throughout America. (Public Domain)

When composer Joseph P. Webster (1819–1875) arrived at Sanford Fillmore Bennett’s (1836–98) office, Bennett could tell right away his friend had a lot on his mind. The two were songwriting partners, and the artistic relationship created a special bond.

Bennett once described what he’d do on Webster’s melancholy days:

“I had learned his peculiarities so well that on meeting him I could tell at a glance if he was melancholy, and had found that I could rouse him up by giving him a new song to work on.”

Trying to gain a little perspective, Bennett asked Webster if everything was okay. Webster replied, “It’s no matter. … It will be all right by and by.”

Bennett knew immediately there was a song hidden somewhere in his friend’s response, saying the idea struck him, “like a flash of sunlight.”

With that, Bennett worked on the lyrics. In no time, he had a song ready to be put to music by his friend and fellow composer, and a temporary distraction for what was weighing on Webster’s mind.

A Songwriting Duo Forms

"Fiddler," 19th century, by Leonid Solomatkin. Oil on canvas. National Museum in Warsaw, Poland. Bennett penned the lyrics to “In the Sweet By-and-By” while Webster set the melody and violin music to the words. (Public Domain)

Bennett was born in New York, but eventually moved to Wisconsin with his family. Before volunteering to serve in the Civil War, he worked as an editor at The Independent. He also published his own poems and writings in various publications. After the war, he focused his attention on education. In 1874, he earned a medical degree and became a doctor. He, however, always returned to his artistic roots. During his time in the medical field, he wrote the words to around 100 hymns.

Webster, who often went by the nickname “J.P.,” was a New Hampshire native who exhibited strong artistic interest from a young age. After studying with renowned 19th-century composers like George James Webb and Lowell Mason, he traveled the states performing as a concert singer.

However, the continuing, deteriorating effects from a case of bronchitis eventually left him unable to sing well. Determined to continue on his artistic journey, he gave up vocal training and turned to composing. His instrument of choice was the violin. During this time, he and his family also moved to Wisconsin.

The loss of his singing voice didn’t slow him down, he wrote more than 1,000 musical compositions. He gathered these into a collection of songs titled “The Signet Ring.” From the compilation, one hymn in particular, “In the Sweet By-and-By,” became one of Christianity’s favorite musical works.

"The Signet Ring," 1868, by J.P. Webster. Internet Archive. (Public Domain)

It was an uplifting hymn that he cowrote with Bennett, whom he met while residing in Wisconsin. The two went on to have a successful writing career together.

The Beauty of Heaven

Only 30 minutes had passed from Bennett penning the lyrics to “In the Sweet By-and-By” to Webster setting a melody for the violin to the words. Before the two songwriters knew it, two of their friends had joined them in their office and were singing along. Bennett’s plan had worked. The new tune put a smile on Webster’s face—whatever ailed him minutes before became a distant memory.

Cover for the sheet music of "Sweet By-and-By," 1868, by Webster and Bennett. Internet Archive. (Public Domain)

The uplifting hymn celebrates heaven’s beauty and God’s powerful love. Shortly after being published in 1868, the song became a gospel standard in Christian churches.

Today, the song has been covered by various country artists including Glen Campbell, Loretta Lynn, and The Oak Ridge Boys. The sweet tune can also be heard in classic films such as Clint Eastwood’s “The Outlaw Josey Wales” and in musicals like “A Prairie Home Companion,” which is loosely based on a former, popular radio show by the same name.

The Salvation Army has also contributed to the tune’s enduring legacy, using it for many of its official events and services.

Though the song took less than an hour to create, “In the Sweet By-and-By” has endured through the decades. What began as a musical exercise to comfort a friend remains an integral part of hymnals throughout America.

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