Harris, Thoro

Author & Composer

b Washington DC, USA 1873 or 1874, d Eureka Springs, Arkansas 1955. Following college studies in Battle Creek, Michigan, he became a prolific writer and publisher of gospel songs. The first of his many song-books was compiled in 1902 when he was 29, and the following year he joined the publisher Peter Bilhorn in Chicago. There he worked for several publishers, writing and editing words and music, and preparing further hymn-books and school worship collections for several organisations. In 1932, now nearing 60, he moved to the beauty spot of Eureka Springs among the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas. His writing continued, and in retirement there he frequently played the organ for local churches up to the time of his death in his early 80s. One contemporary recalled him as ‘a very energetic person, walking about the city almost constantly carrying a little canvas handbag in which he carried copies of his songbooks for sale’ (quoted by Wm J Reynolds). His greatest success was achieved with his favourite song, included here as in many American and British books. No.340.