Scripture Verse

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:3

Introduction

portrait
Ira B. Wilson (1880–1950)

Words: Har­ri­et Fi­thi­an, in Re­vi­val Hymns, a Col­lect­ion of New and Stand­ard Hymns, by Da­ni­el B. Tow­ner & Charles M. Al­ex­an­der (Chi­ca­go, Il­li­nois: Bi­ble In­sti­tute Col­por­ta­ge As­so­cia­tion, 1905), num­ber 58.

Music: Ira B. Wil­son (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Fi­thi­an (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

I have a dear Sav­ior who loves me, I know,
And whose will I de­light to do;
He’s pre­sent to cheer me wher­ev­er I go—
Was there ev­er a friend so true?

Refrain

Was there ev­er a friend so true?
Was there ev­er a friend so true?
I oft­en have proved Him,
I ev­er will love Him—
Was there ev­er a friend so true?

This won­der­ful friend is a help­er indeed;
He has pro­mised to lead me through,
And clos­er He comes than a bro­ther in need—
Was there ev­er a friend so true?

Refrain

He soothes me in sor­row with songs in the night,
And in­spires me with hope anew;
He fills me with cour­age my bat­tles to fight—
Was there ev­er a friend so true?

Refrain

His love is a foun­tain of bless­ing so pure,
Ever flow­ing for me, for you;
His pow­er is un­fail­ing, His pro­mise is sure—
Was there ev­er a friend so true?

Refrain