Anna W. Waterman wrote both the words and music Yes, I Know!
Jesus’ blood can make you free;
For He saved the worst among you,
When He saved a wretch like me.
2. To the faint He giveth power,
Through the mountains makes a way;
Findeth water in the desert,
Turns the night to golden day.
3. In temptation He is near thee,
Holds the pow’rs of hell at bay;
Guides you to the path of safety,
Gives you grace for every day.
4. He will keep thee while the ages
Roll throughout eternity;
Though earth hinders and hell rages,
All must work for good to thee.
Chorus:
And I know (I surely know), yes, I know (I surely know),
Jesus’ blood can make the vilest sinner clean.
In Stories Behind the Hymns, Warren Shiver tells the story of Anna, married to Charles Waterman, an unbeliever and drinking man – whose drinking was becoming increasingly worse. Anna and a friend prayed for Charles for three years. After a close call with death, Charles got saved. Inspired and excited by the experience, Anna wrote this hymn. Yes, I Know is copyrighted by F. M. Lehman in 1920, but it may have been written earlier (closer to the time of her husband’s conversion). The hymn, written in 8s.7s. meter with a repeating chorus, has several scriptural allusions, such as Romans 8:28, Hebrews 7:25, and 1 John 1:7.
Charles Carpenter Waterman worked for the railroad. After his conversion he became a minister. He preached at the Old Time Religion Mission on North Orange Grove Avenue in Pasadena, California from around 1920-1946. Anna served with him there as an associate pastor. Additionally, he served as chaplain of the Pasadena City Jail for 50 years, as well as state chaplain of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. According to “Rev. Waterman to Close Mission” (Pasadena Star-News, Friday March 29, 1946, p. 6) “Charlie Waterman was converted March 31, 1913, when he was a conductor on the Pacific Electric.”
The Waterman’s church affiliation, at least at the time of their deaths, was with the Church of the Nazarene. According to her obituary, Anna published six books of gospel songs. Annabelle “Anna” Wilson Waterman (1874-1958) was the daughter of Joseph Wilson and Sarah Howard. She was the mother of at least seven children (Charles Merle, Howard Wilson, Anita June, Elizabeth Faith, John Joseph, Annabelle Joy “Joybelle,” and a child, probably an infant, who died 1900-1910). Anna and her husband Charles are buried at the Mountain View Cemetery and Mausoleum in Altadena, Los Angeles County, California.
To hear Yes, I Know sung go to this link by the Gaither Vocal Band.
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