Have thine own way

"Have Thine Own Way, Lord" is a hymn with lyrics by Adelaide A. Pollard and music by George C. Stebbins.

It was first published in 1907, in the "Northfield Hymnal with Alexander's Supplement". Later that year, it also appeared in two other popular hymnals, Ira Sankey's "Hallowed Hymns New and Old" and Sankey and Clement's "Best Endeavour Hymns”.

In 1902, Adelaide A. Pollard, was hoping to go to Africa as a missionary but found herself unable to raise the needed funds to make the journey. Greatly discouraged, she attended a prayer service one evening and as she sat there, she overheard an elderly woman say "It really doesn't matter what you do with us, Lord, just have your own way with our lives." The elderly woman inspired Pollard and she contemplated the story of the potter from Jeremiah 18:3 and, upon her return home that evening, wrote all four stanzas before retiring for the night.

Five years later George Stebbins wrote a tune titled "Adelaide" to accompany the text.

Stephen Gibson, brought the song to the team. He worked with Jon Goode who is also based at Cardiff City Temple on an arrangement and Stephen added the refrain. We then had Fiona Crow from Edinburgh sing the song. We love this powerful, devotional song and how it all came about for the Elim 100 album.

For more information about the Elim 100 album and to purchase a copy, visit www.elimsound.co.uk/elim100