And must this body die? I. Watts. [Triumph over Death.] First published in his Hymns, &c, 1707, in 6 stanzas of 4 lines and entitled "Triumph over Death in hope of the Resurrection" (Bk. ii, No. cx.). In an altered form it was given by J. Wesley in his Psalms and Hymns published at Charlestown, South Carolina, in 1736-7. It was not included in the Wesleyan Hymn Book in 1780, but added in the Supplement of 1830; "Wesley's text of 1736-7 being retained, with stanza iii., 1.1, "And ever" for "And often" (the original reading of Watts) being omitted. In the revised edition of 1875, this has again been abridged by the omission of the last stanza. The text of the Wesleyan Hymn Book is thus by Watts and J. Wesley. In other collections it is usually Watts unaltered. Its use in America is very extensive.
-- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)
Isaac Watts was the son of a schoolmaster, and was born in Southampton, July 17, 1674. He is said to have shown remarkable precocity in childhood, beginning the study of Latin, in his fourth year, and writing respectable verses at the age of seven. At the age of sixteen, he went to London to study in the Academy of the Rev. Thomas Rowe, an Independent minister. In 1698, he became assistant minister of the Independent Church, Berry St., London. In 1702, he became pastor. In 1712, he accepted an invitation to visit Sir Thomas Abney, at his residence of Abney Park, and at Sir Thomas' pressing request, made it his home for the remainder of his life. It was a residence most favourable for his health, and for the prosecution of his literary… Go to person page >
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