WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS

Time signature:  4/4
Tempo: ~  bpm.
Words by Joseph M. Scriven (1855)
​Music by Charles C. Converse (1868)
UNDER CONSTRUCTION:  Notation and youTube keys need to be checked.
Accordion Notation
Beats per bar = 4
Beat symbol  =  Dot ( . ) or equivalent     
Either row (high) =  Buttons  5 - 9 (plus 6# ?)
Inside row (low) = Buttons 2 - 5* plus o3* & o1

Verse 1 (of 3)

  .:8     .8   |     .9*     .8     .7     .6   |    ::6  |   ::5*    |
  .:5     .5   |     .5*     .5     .4     .3   |    ::3  |   :o3*   |
What   a     Friend  we  have  in       Je   -   sus, 

.:5    .6   |   .7      .6       .8      .7   |   ::7*~ | ~::   |  
.:2    .3   |   .4      .3       .5      .4   |   ::3*~ | ~::   |
All  our    sins  and  griefs  to       bear!___   

  .:8     .8   |   .9*   .8    .7      .6   |   ::6   |  ::5*     |   
  .:5     .5   |   .5*   .5    .4      .3   |   ::3   |  ::o3*   |
What   a       pri - vi - lege  to       car  -   ry__ 

.:5    .6   |   .7      .7*    .6   .6*   |   ::6~ | ~::   |      
.:2    .3   |   .4      .3*   .3    .2*   |   ::3~ | ~::   |
Ev - ery - thing  to  God  in       prayer!___


 .:7*   .(6)#   |   .7*      .7    .8*   .7*   |   ::7   |   ::8    |                (6)# - Substitution needed
.:3*    .o1     |   .3*      .4    .4*   .3*   |   ::4   |   ::5    |
  O   what     peace  we   of - ten       for  -  feit,

.:9*    .9*   |   .8    .7        .8*   .7   |   ::7*~ | ~::   |
.:5*    .5*   |   .5    .4        .4*   .4   |   ::3*~ | ~::   |
  O  what   need-less  pain  we     bear____,

.:8   .8   |   .9*      .8    .7    .6   |   ::6   |   ::5*    |
.:5   .5   |   .5*      .5    .4    .3   |   ::3   |   ::o3*  |
All   be - cause  we  do  not      car  -    ry

​.:5    .6   |   .7      .7*   .6    .6*   |   ::6~ | ~::  |
.:2    .3   |   .4      .3*   .3    .2*   |   ::3~ | ~::  |
Ev - ery - thing  to  God  in        prayer__.
Embedded youTube VIDEOS
Fifteen videos  in keys of:     A=1                      Bb=2           Db,D=1      D=2     D,Eb=1       Eb=1     
                                             Eb,E,F,G,Ab=1     E,D,E=1      E,F=1         F=3     G=1

The accordion notation above displays a traditional "hymn-book" rhythm pattern, as followed in many of the videos.  However some videos do use different rhythms, and there are also some differences in tempo.
Key:  Db from time 0 to 1:03
         D   from 1:03 to end

Singer:  Alan Jackson

​Posted by:  GaitherVEVO
Key:  Eb from time 0 to 1:08
          E   
          F   
          G
          Ab  from ?  to end
         

Singer:  Johan Luis Estevez

​Posted by:  ​SE Samonte

Makes several "key" changes, running up from Eb to Ab.  Unusual.
Key:  E  from time 0 to 2:05
         F  from time 2:05 to End at 3:05
       
         (Paul continues past 3;05 with
         a different chorus and "preaching".)

Singer:  Paul Baloche 

​Posted by:  Cibertracker imperium
Key:  Bb

Singer:  ?
​
​Guitarist:  ? 

Posted by:  Life.Church
Key:  D  from time 0 to 3:08
​         Eb from  3:09 to End.

Singer:  Randy Owen
​
Group   Alabama

Posted by:  GaitherVEVO
​
Key:  F

Singer:  Steven Curtis Chapman

​Posted by:  ​Rheinhard Lawalata
Key:   F

Accordionists: Bob and Hector
                       (our Australian friends)

​Posted by:  bertosvids
Key:  F

Group:  The Statler Brothers  

Posted by: GaitherVEVO
Key:  D

Singer:  Loretta Lynn

​Posted by:  lorettafan1
Key:  G

Singer: Jerry Lee Lewis

Posted by:  josinho1989

Slightly different rhythm than that given in the accordion notation above.
Key:   E  from time 0 to 0:45
          D from 0:46 to 1:27
          E  from 1:28 to End
         
Singer:   Dolly Parton
​
​Posted by:  nonso03

Doesn't completely follow the order of the lyrics given below.

​
Key:  A

Singer:  Tennessee Ernie Ford

Posted by:  Alabanza al Senor
Key:  Eb

Singer:  Pat Boone

Posted by:  Brett Moloney
Key:  D

Singer:   Cliff Richard, with the Northern
              Counties Confederation Choir.

​Posted by:  Cliff Richard

​Recorded in February of 1968?
Key:  Bb

Singer:  Willie Nelson

Posted by:  OhLordmyGod
​
Background Materials, Information & Links
​Lyrics:
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?
Christ the Saviour is our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do our friends despise, forsake us? Are we tempted to despair?
Jesus' strength will shield our weakness,and we'll find new courage there.
Background Links:
Click HERE for additional wikipedia info about this hymn.

Click HERE  for biographical info (wikipedia) on Joseph M. Scriven
​
Click HERE ​for biographical info (wikipedia) on  Charles C. Converse