“What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” arr. Larry Shackley (piano) 10/9/2022

This video features Larry Shackley’s jazzy arrangement of “What a Friend we Have in Jesus.” Larry Shackley is a popular living composer of church music. This piece is from the collection titled “Hymns for a Jazzy Sunday Morning: 10 Hymn Arrangements in Jazz Styles.”
“What a Friend we Have in Jesus” is one of the most popular “gospel hymns” of late 19th century America, with lyrics by Joseph Medlicott Scriven and music by Charles C. Converse. Scriven originally wrote the words for the private consolation of his mother. The song is not very well-known outside of the United States.
This video is from the early service at Winder First United Methodist Church on October 9th, 2022.
Played by Nathan Andrew Jones
www.nathanandrewjones.com
Here are the lyrics of the original 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 your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he'll take and shield you;
you will find a solace there.