‘In the Sweet By-and-By’

Now a standard in church hymnals, the gentle song was written by Sanford Fillmore Bennett to comfort his friend and songwriting partner.

"Aminta's Lament," between 1614 and 1615, by Bartolomeo Cavarozz. What began as a musical exercise to comfort a friend remains an integral part of hymnals throughout America. Public Domain

When composer Joseph P. Webster (1819–75) arrived at Sanford Fillmore Bennett’s (1836–98) office, Bennett could tell right away that his friend had a lot on his mind. The two were songwriting partners, and the artistic relationship created a special bond.

Bennett once described what he’d do on Webster’s melancholy days: