Hymnal Number
411Resource Type:
Keys included:
C
About this Hymn
George Beverly Shea, longtime associate of Billy Graham, recalled, "As I sat one evening playing the piano, my mother brought to me a piece of paper on which was written a poem by Rhea Miller. . . . She then asked me to try my hand at writing a melody for it." The result is a powerful song of commitment, a statement of where we choose to place our highest trust.
Lyrics
Verse 1
I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold; I'd rather be his than have riches untold; I'd rather have Jesus than houses or lands. I'd rather be led by his nail-pierced hand
Chorus
than to be the king of a vast domain and be held in sin's dread sway. I'd rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today.
Verse 2
I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause; I'd rather be faithful to his dear cause; I'd rather have Jesus than worldwide fame. I'd rather be true to his holy name
Verse 3
He's fairer than lilies of rarest bloom; he's sweeter than honey from out of the comb; he's all that my hungering spirit needs. I'd rather have Jesus and let him lead
I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold; I'd rather be his than have riches untold; I'd rather have Jesus than houses or lands. I'd rather be led by his nail-pierced hand
Chorus
than to be the king of a vast domain and be held in sin's dread sway. I'd rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today.
Verse 2
I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause; I'd rather be faithful to his dear cause; I'd rather have Jesus than worldwide fame. I'd rather be true to his holy name
Verse 3
He's fairer than lilies of rarest bloom; he's sweeter than honey from out of the comb; he's all that my hungering spirit needs. I'd rather have Jesus and let him lead
Copyrighted lyrics may be used in corporate worship in accordance with a valid CCLI license. Lyrics should be displayed unaltered and include author and copyright information. All other uses require permission from the copyright holder.
Attribution & Copyright
Words: Rhea F. Miller, 1922
Music: George Beverly Shea © 1939 ren. 1966 Curb Word Music (Music Services / www.musicservices.com)
Music: George Beverly Shea © 1939 ren. 1966 Curb Word Music (Music Services / www.musicservices.com)