When I See the Blood

In the song book in the church where I grew up, this following song had this note: “Foote Bros., not copyrighted. Let no one do so. May this song ever be free to be published for the glory of God.” As a child, I was always impressed by that note. I still am. The song, had it been copyrighted, has long since passed into the public domain. Therefore, most newer books no longer carry that notice, and folks are unaware of this bit of song history

The “Foote Bros.” were John Grier Foote and James William Foote (1860-1952), who were Presbyterian singers and evangelists. They did a lot of evangelistic work around Chicago in the 1890s. In addition to being an evangelist, John also pastored; for example, East End Presbyterian Church in Ottumwa, Iowa. He wrote both the words and music for this song. Then the evangelist brothers marked it as a song not be copyrighted, as they did with other songs written by John. This indicated they believed in freely giving what they had freely received.

John Grier Harper Foote was born in Jefferson County, Iowa, October 4, 1854, the son of John Baldwin Foote and Mary Elenor Harper. His father was an elder in the Presbyterian Church at Salina, Iowa. John G. married Janet Ann Macindoe circa 1894 and they had two children, Mary Elizabeth and John Paul. He died at the young age of 46, on January 4, 1901. He and his wife are buried at the Evergreen Cemetery at Fairfield, Jefferson County, Iowa.

In 1892, the Foote brothers established a quarterly periodical called Bible Talks.

Since the song was not copyrighted, it is a bit harder to determine exactly when it was written. It appeared at least at as early as 1892, in Honey Out of the Rock, published by Meyer and Brother of Chicago, Illinois. Underneath the song is the note: “By Foote Bros, not copyrighted. Let no one do so. May this song ever be free to be published for the glory of God.” The Foote brothers wished to freely glorify God in his redemption and death, his blood shed on the cross, as our passover sacrificed for us, the chiefest of sinners.

Also two Bible verses were referred to underneath the title:

“When I see the blood, I will pass over you.” Exodus 12:13

“Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.” 1 Corinthians 5:7

1. Christ our Redeemer died on the cross,
Died for the sinner, paid all his due;
All who receive him, need never fear,
Yes, he will pass, will pass over you.

Chorus:
When I see the blood,
When I see the blood,
When I see the blood,
I will pass, I will pass over you.

2. Chiefest of sinners, Jesus will save;
As He has promised, so he will do;
Oh, sinner, hear him, trust in his word,
Then he will pass, will pass over you.
(Chorus)

3. Judgment is coming, all will be there,
Who have rejected, who have refused?
Oh, sinner hasten, let Jesus in, 
Then God will pass, will pass over you.
(Chorus)

4. O great compassion! O boundless love!
Jesus hath power, Jesus is true;
All who believe are safe from the storm,
Oh, he will pass, will pass over you.
(Chorus)

Elisha A. Hoffman arranged a version of the song with the words appearing as follows:

1. Christ our Redeemer died on the cross,

Died for the sinner, paid all his due;

Sprinkle your soul with the blood of the Lamb,

And I will pass, will pass over you.

2. Chiefest of sinners, Jesus will save;

All He has promised, that He will do;

Wash in the fountain opened for sin,

And I will pass, will pass over you.

3. Judgment is coming, all will be there,

Each one receiving justly his due;

Hide in the saving, sin-cleansing blood,

And I will pass, will pass over you.

4. O great compassion! O boundless love!

O lovingkindness, faithful and true!

Find peace and shelter under the blood,

And I will pass, will pass over you.

Besides major additions, Hoffman changes all the phrasing in the four stanzas to “I will pass,” where Foote had “he will pass” and “God will pass.” The tune by John G. Foote in some newer hymnals is called Passover.

The Presbyterian Church in Iowa 1837-1900,

prepared by Committee of Synod of Iowa, 1907, page 145