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He reached down from on high and drew me out of deep waters.

I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore, very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more; but the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry, from the waters lifted me - now safe am I. 

All my heart to Him I give; ever to Him I'll cling, in His blessed presence live, ever His praises sing. Love so mighty and so true merits my soul's best songs; faithful loving service, too, to Him belongs.

Souls in danger look above; Jesus completely saves; He will lift you by His love out of the angry waves. He's the Master of the sea, billows His will obey; He your Savior wants to be - be saved today.

REFRAIN

Love lifted me! Love lifted me! When nothing else could help, love lifted me! Love lifted me! Love lifted me! When nothing else could help, love lifted me!

James Rowe was born in Devonshire, England, on January 1, 1865. He was the son of copper miner.  Not much of childhood is known. He moved to Dublin, Ireland, and worked for 4 years as a Government Surveyor Officer. in 1890, he immigrated to America. Once he immigrated, he worked for the New York Central and Hudson Rail Road Co. He stayed with the railroad for 10 years. While working for the railroad, he met and married Blanche Clapper. Later on in his life, he realized that he was more interested in the publishing industry. James worked for 3 publishing companies, one in Waco, TX, one in Chattanooga, TN, and one in Lawrenceburg, TN. In 1896, James decided to start handwriting his own hymns. By the turn of the 20th century, he had become one of the most prolific hymnwriters of his time with writing approximately 19,000 hymns. In 1912, with the help of Mr. Smith, who was an arthritic pianist and organist, James published his most well-known hymn, "Love Lifted Me".   When the hymn was originally published in the hymnals, the second verse was omitted, it was not until later that hymnals added the second verse. James used 2 passages of Scripture, the first passage, Matthew 14:22-23 and Matthew 8:23-27 to illustrate Jesus’ love and being the "Master of the Sea." Later, James moved to Vermont and worked with his only daughter Louise Mayhew, who was an artist, together they wrote greeting cards. James died in Wells, Vermont on November 10, 1933.