Lyrics: Joseph Mendicott Scriven, 1855.
Music: ERIE by Charles Converse, 1868.
Alternate tune: CALON LAN
Theme: A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24
What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he’ll take and shield thee; thou wilt find a solace there.
Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised, Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing, all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded, there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship, will be our sweet portion there.
Joseph Scriven’s first fiance drowned the night before their wedding was to take place. He moved to Canada (from England) where he met and became engaged to another young woman, Eliza Roche. Eliza contracted pneumonia and died shortly before the wedding. Joseph joined the Plymouth Brethren and spent the rest of his life serving the aged and the poor. Unfortunately, Mr. Scriven also died tragically, by drowning, either a suicide or an accident.
This monologue by Christian comedienne Chondra Pierce is an excellent commentary on this hymn and on the faithfulness of our Lord:
It seems odd and mildly humorous to me, but this hymn is said to be a very popular wedding song played at Japanese weddings. A Japanese poet’s (secular) words have been set to Mr. Converse’s tune, but usually if the words are sung, they’re a Japanese translation of Mr. Scriven’s lyrics. I’m trying to imagine “Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer” in Japanese and at a wedding. Incongruity anyone?
The tune has also been used, particularly during World War I for other, more bawdy, lyrics, but you don’t want to go there, do you? Me neither. I’m still stuck on the Japanese wedding song thing. If you’re wanting to get that picture out of your imagination, go back and listen to Chondra Pierce again. It’s worth another listen.
Sources:
What a Friend We Have in Jesus by Lindsay Terry in Christianity Today.
Seiyaku: What a Friend We Have in Jesus.
Thank you so much for sharing this again. I’ve seen it before, but it’s always such a nice reminder. I love this hymn, and Chonda Pierce just drives the meaning home for me. Thank you!
Lorri
Thanks for posting Joseph Scriven’s lovely hymn–and for including the often-ignored last stanza. He lived not far from where I used to live in Ontario, Canada. And today is the 190th anniversary of his birth.
Just one small correction. I don’t think the Plymouth Brethren would appreciate being called a “church.” They have “assemblies” and “gospel halls,” but not churches or a denomination. The sentence would work fine by simply dropping the word church.