“Pass Me Not, O Gentle Saviour”: the prison cry behind Fanny Crosby’s hymn

The words came from a prisoner. Fanny Crosby, the blind American hymn writer, was speaking at a prison in New York when she heard a man call out, “Good Lord, do not pass me by.” The plea stayed with her. That evening she wrote a hymn around it, and “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Saviour” has been sung by people asking for mercy ever since.

Crosby and 1868

Crosby lost her sight as a baby and became one of the most prolific hymn writers in history, credited with thousands of hymns. Her best-known include “Blessed Assurance”, “To God Be the Glory” and “Rescue the Perishing”. She often visited prisons, missions and the poor in New York. “Pass Me Not” was published in 1868. Its music was composed by William Howard Doane, an industrialist and composer who frequently worked with Crosby. Doane’s gentle, flowing tune matches the humble tone of the words.

The words

The hymn is a prayer: “Pass me not, O gentle Saviour, hear my humble cry; while on others Thou art calling, do not pass me by.” Later verses ask to kneel at the “throne of mercy” and to find relief, trusting “only in Thy merit”.

Bartimaeus

The hymn echoes the Gospel story of Bartimaeus, a blind beggar who heard Jesus passing and cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Others told him to be quiet, but he shouted louder, and Jesus stopped. Crosby, who was blind herself, would have known that story well. The hymn became a standard at revival meetings and altar calls, sung while people came forward to pray. Evangelists, including Dwight L. Moody and Ira Sankey, used Crosby’s hymns widely in their campaigns.

A universal prayer

“Pass Me Not” is sung in many Ghanaian and Nigerian churches, often in local language translations. It is common at prayer meetings, healing services and moments of repentance. The hymn’s appeal lies in its honesty. It does not claim worthiness. It simply asks not to be overlooked. Many people feel that way about God at some point, especially when others seem to be receiving blessings they are still waiting for.

A prisoner’s cry became a hymn sung for over 150 years. Crosby gave voice to a fear many believers share and pointed it towards a Saviour who stops for those who call.