I'd Rather Have Jesus - piano

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.

Than to be a king of a vast domain
Or be held in sin's dread sway,
I'd rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.

I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause;
I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I'd rather have Jesus than world-wide fame,
I'd rather be true to His holy name.

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 is a song written by Rhea F. Miller with the tune written by George Beverly Shea. This poem, written in 1922, was left on a piano in the Shea home by Bev Shea who wanted her son to find it and change the course of his life.

The words, I'd rather have Jesus, moved George so much and spoke to him about his own aims and ambitions in life. He sat down at the piano and began singing them with a tune that seemed to fit the words. Shea's mom heard him singing it and asked him to sing it at church the next day.

George's life direction did change. He was offered a popular music career with NBC, but a few years later chose to become associated with evangelist Billy Graham and sang this hymn around the world.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Baptist
• church
• choir
• music
• college
• traditional
• Christian
• family
• gospel
• KJV
• 1611

[jonenat]

@FireByNight

As I understood it, this song was created as a response to a letter. Apparently, Billy Graham asked George Beverley Shea to join him in his crusades. But Shea replied in a letter, with the poetry that makes up the lyrics of the song. Later, the tune was created to match the poetry.

That's what I was told. The information could be wrong, though.

[KE5HOB]

@winstonpitts I think he meant Black Gospel artist as in, one who plays Black Gospel music, and not NECESSARILY a black skinned teacher.

[winstonpitts]

NKUMBE4 is not how well he play the sing is the praising God part that He love and i hope you love.. What about the Black Gospel Artist... Im 14 and God gave me a Talent of play the piano.. God doesn't care what color you take piano lessons from. all he care about for you praise him...

[lightrays]

Can you recommend a good black gospel pianist, preferably one that plays old songs?

[FireByNight]

This song was not written by Kirk Franklin.

Id Rather Have Jesus is a song written by Rhea F. Miller with the tune written by George Beverly Shea. This poem, written in 1922, was left on a piano in the Shea home by Bev Shea who wanted her son to find it and change the course of his life.

[NKUMBE4]

perfect but has no anointing, feeling, soul, not like kirk franklin wrote or intended it to be. Take lessons from a black gospel artist to help you give it flavor. Keep working at it. Try by ear and pray for the anointing

[bighebrewbear]

the "tech" of the piece is great, almost perfect. Yet, he plays with no feeling or intent. There are very very few who can blend both. Stan Whitmere is the only church pianist I have ever heard with this ability. Most of them come out of Juilliard or Eastman. When one came make you cry playing Bach, they have mastered the piano. Until then, most are just phoning it in.

[Faithspianist]

I am a church pianist as well. Your music has helped me learn new things. Thanks so much

[sweetbaby122794]

I love all of your music! Absolutely gorgeous

[organpipe8]

Beautiful thank for sharing Blessings to you for your wonderful work praising our LORD. Lance