The Story of William B. Bradbury

Posted by Lily Topolski Music on Aug 9th 2022

Sunday school songs… what comes to mind when you hear the phrase? You may have memories of singing such songs as Jesus Loves the Little Children, The B-I-B-L-E, God Is So Good, or other songs, but the one that rises to prominence as one of the most beloved Sunday school songs is Jesus Loves Me. This famous hymn, known worldwide and one of the first songs taught in Sunday school to the little ones, is just one of the many Sunday school songs and hymns written by William B. Bradbury.

Born to a farmer in 1816, William Bradbury loved music. At the age of 14, he and his family moved from York, Maine to Boston, Massachusetts. In Boston, he encountered new sounds and styles of music that would change his life forever. For the first time in his life he experienced the organ. Deciding he very much liked this instrument, he took it up and became an organist. Within the span of just four years, he could play quite well and began to play for churches.

Time passed and Bradbury relocated to become a teacher, returned home to marry, and then took up a job at the Brooklyn Tabernacle in New York City. Here, he became organist and leader of the choir. The idea came to him to start a singing class for young people. They were an instant hit and grew tremendously! Not only did Bradbury teach the children, but he also started writing songs. Some of his most popular songs include Just As I Am, The Solid Rock, Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us, He Leadeth Me, Jesus Loves Me, and Sweet Hour of Prayer.

While teaching these children and writing songs for them, Bradbury saw the need for music to be taught to children in the public schools. With the help of his promotion, soon every public school in New York had a music class. Later, after a trip to England, he started a piano manufacturing company which produced the Bradbury pianos.

William Bradbury passed away in the year 1868. He accomplished much in his life of 52 years between his songs, the legacy and impression he left on his students, and his manufacturing, but the love of God is far greater and more important than anything man could ever do or accomplish! It is fitting that his most remembered work is this simple song:

Jesus loves me this I know

For the Bible tells me so

Little ones to Him belong

They are weak but He is strong

Yes, Jesus loves me!

The Bible tells me so