Estimated reading time 2 minutes
Table of Contents
Introduction
Do you want to enjoy the heavenly hymn What a Friend We Have in Jesus? In this post, you’ll get three essentials: 1) a sing along video of the song featuring Alan Jackson, 2) the complete lyrics to the hymn, and 3) easy-to-read free sheet music using shape notes including a sing along soundtrack. Keep reading to learn more.
This post uses musical terms. For definitions, see the Glossary at the end of the article.
Do You Want the Lyrics to the Hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus?”
The lyrics to What a Friend We Have in Jesus come from an 1883 hymnal arrangement of the song:
Verse 1:
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!
Verse 2:
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
Verse 3:
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.
Video: Alan Jackson’s What a Friend We Have in Jesus
Explore the Free Sheet Music Version of “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” that Uses Easy-to-Read Shape Notes
Do you need to learn about shape notes? The following articles will help you get up to speed:
Mobile users: for best results reading the music, rotate your screen 90o to the right.
Shape Note Soundtrack:
The soundtrack uses synthetic voices rather than actual voices. Research has shown that this will help with the ability to identify and produce absolute pitch information. For more information:
Final Thoughts
This post has three ways to interact with the hymn:
- Sing along with Alan Jackson’s version of the song.
- Learn the lyrics to What a Friend We Have in Jesus.
- Or read along with the easy-to-read free sheet music using shape notes.
Have fun singing!
Related Posts
- Deck the Halls – A Jubilant Christmas Carol
- Enjoy the Popular Song Oh My Darling Clementine
- Sing the Charming Song London Bridge Is Falling Down
© 2024 Geoffrey Keith
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Glossary
On the Electric Keyboard Can You Play Dynamics?
On the electric keyboard can you play dynamics? Well, that depends on the type of keyboard that you buy. In music, dynamics refers to the volume and intensity of sound, ranging from very soft (pp = pianissimo) to very loud (ff = fortissimo). Not all keyboards can play loud and soft through the keys though. Click to learn what you need to think about when buying an electronic keyboard. Estimated reading time 2 minutes.
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Harmony and Melody Tune Differently
Have you ever felt embarrassed because someone said you sang or played out of tune? Does harmonizing seem like a puzzle you can’t solve? Knowledge is power. I will show you how harmony and melody tune differently, and how it impacts singing and playing in tune. Estimated reading time 4 minutes.
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Playing the Piano with Color Coded Rhythm, Fingering, and Notes
Can’t read piano music? (Or does your child have difficulty reading music?) Color coded notes and rhythms can help! Click to learn about playing the piano with color coded rhythm, fingering, and notes. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
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Singing Schwa Vowels
Do you have a hard time singing words like “lung,” “ton,” and “done” with a strong tone? Many vocalists find neutral vowels tricky to sing with good resonance. The most common neutral vowel in English is the schwa, which you can find in words like “the,” “a,” and “up.” Good vowel production remains a critical skill for vocalists. Vowels help with singing in tune and good vocal tone and resonance. All of these things revolve around how you perform your vowels. Read more to learn about singing schwa vowels. Estimated reading time 7 minutes.
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