As I have mentioned before, not all of The Hymns of My Youth are common to the most traditional hymnbooks, though they are still somewhat traditional. Such is the case with most of the Gaither Songbook, and this week’s hymn is another Bill Gaither composition.

Back in 1963, Bill Gaither had been asked to accompany Doug Oldham, playing piano for a revival meeting in Huntington, Indiana, where Dr. Dale Oldham (Doug’s father) was speaking. Afterward, the three rode back to Bill’s home in Anderson, Indiana. Along the way, they discussed how deeply they felt the Holy Spirit in the meeting that evening. As they dropped Gaither off at his home, Dr. Oldham’s parting words were, “You should write a song that says, ‘He touched me, oh, He touched me.’ Gaither couldn’t sleep that night, unable to shake Oldham’s words as he recalled how many people at the meeting that evening had arrived “heavy laden” and left filled with hope and joy. He worked on a song late into the night, and in the morning his wife Gloria woke to find him still up and working on the song, “He Touched Me”. Doug Oldham soon began performing the song at revivals and concerts. Not only did he record it, but also of course the Gaither Trio and many others artists, including Elvis Presley in 1971.

The song became such a part even of popular culture that The Carol Burnett Show featured a skit mocking the song. (I knew you were wondering what the image had to do with this post.) I remember even as a younger kid at the time being conflicted, as both lovers of the show and lovers of the Gaither music, something just seemed askew. It was funny, but was it somehow sacrilegious to mock such a hymn of faith from the Gaithers? (Don’t worry, I’m pretty much over it.) The skit featured scenes of people getting into arguments which would end with one person giving the other a well and truly good whack that would knock them down. I remember Harvey Korman pretending to give Carol Burnett a powerful backhand that sends her sprawling on the floor. He leaves the stage and she slowly drags herself up to a sitting position and sings, “He touched me…”

Still, the song remains an encouragement to many and an reminder to me of a very particular era.

He Touched Me

He touched me, O he touched me,
And O the joy that floods my soul!
Something happened, and now I know,
He touched me and made me whole.

Shackled By a Heavy burden,
‘Neath a load of guilt and shame,
Then the hand of Jesus touched me,
And now I am no longer the same.

He touched me, O he touched me,
And O the joy that floods my soul!
Something happened, and now I know,
He touched me and made me whole.

Since I met this Blessed Savior,
Since he cleansed and made me whole,
I will never cease to Praise him;
I’ll shout it while eternity rolls.

He touched me, O he touched me,
And O the joy that floods my soul!
Something happened, and now I know,
He touched me and made me whole.