This song dates back at least to the mid 1800’s. It has been published in print and through recordings many times, with a wide variety of lyrics, melodies and arrangements. Many lean toward pensive and somber. Some are a bit brighter. All the instances I saw used the same idea of a person posing common life situations (many being difficult ones) and asking for Jesus to be with him in each. As for the variations, my version includes something old, something new, something borrowed — and is not too blue. Please give it a sing-along listen and come back for a chat on simple songs.
About the song
This was a new song to me, but reading about it online left me thinking I just might be the only person on earth who had not already heard it. Hymnary.org lists its use in 47 hymnbooks. The writeup in Wikipedia was fascinating — here it is in part:
“Possibly the earliest known version of “Give Me Jesus” was published in the United States in 1845 by the Rev. Jacob Knapp, a Baptist minister from New York. By 1849 the Methodists published a version, and the song was popularized in the mid-nineteenth century through various camp meetings and hymnals. “Give Me Jesus” was popular among African American congregations, and Slave Songs of the United States (1867) mentions that former slaves in Port Royal, South Carolina, sang it, although the song may not have originated solely with slaves, as it was published previously by the Methodists. However, African American congregations likely influenced its modern form. In 1873 the Fisk Jubilee Singers published a version of the song that remains popular today. Notable nineteenth-century songwriters published versions and derivations of the song, including Fanny Crosby with “Take the World, But Give Me Jesus”, and musicians such as Vince Gill and Fernando Ortega have covered and interpreted the song in the twenty-first century.” (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Give_Me_Jesus)
I found Fanny Crosby’s derivation, and hope to add it to this song site. There are several inspiring versions of “Give Me Jesus” on the internet. I can recommend Fernando Ortega’s version — on his album, but especially in the tribute video he made remembering the late Ruth Graham (see Give Me Jesus – Fernando Ortega Ruth Graham Tribute)
On a scale from mourning to merry
The variety of verses found in different versions of this song range in tone from mourning to merry. Here is a sampling — listed in order from mourning to merry — of verses used in different instances I found:
Oh, when I come to die, …
Give me Jesus.
Dark midnight was my cry, …
Give me Jesus.
Oh, when I am alone, …
Give me Jesus.
In the morning when I rise,
Give me Jesus.
And when I want to sing, …
Give me Jesus.
When I’m happy hear me sing …
I have Jesus.
And there are more. I didn’t want to use them all, so I had to choose. It seems I came up with a “middle” version that left out both the most mournful and the most merry. Much as I’m moved by Fernando Ortega’s version (which DOES use the verse “Oh, when I come to die”) I didn’t want to go there today. As for “When I’m happy hear me sing … I have Jesus”, my recording was already done when I saw this verse, otherwise I might have used it. But, honestly, I like the length and “mood” of the verses that made the cut. I hope you do, too. Still, if you check out other folk’s recordings of this old song, I think you’ll be impressed with what you find.
A position, a prayer and a decree
“Give me Jesus” is the title of the song, and the most repeated words of the song.
But the phrase “Give me Jesus” raises questions. If I were to say, “I accept Jesus as Lord” or “Jesus has called me to life”, at least we have the two “parties” connecting with each other and a reason for the connection is given. But “Give me Jesus”? Who am I talking to? In grammar they call this “you understood”. Okay, but — you WHO? And then, what exactly am I asking “you understood” to give me?
Bear with me. We don’t need to throw this song out the window, and let’s see if you agree that these questions about what “Give me Jesus” means lead to ideas you and I can act on.
Stating a strong position
Using “give me …” this way injects a strong sense of conviction and resolve. You might recall Patrick Henry’s famous quote, “Give me liberty or give me death.” That’s powerful! Mr. Henry and our song might have said, “I want …”, but to say “give me …” signals that the speaker isn’t just leaning towards something, but is firmly selecting it. When it comes to Jesus, we don’t settle for “leaning towards”.
By saying “Give me Jesus”, we declare our resolve is firm.
Offering a prayer
“Give me Jesus” conveys a posture of prayer, of reaching out with a sincere, humble request to receive what can only be given, not earned. Jesus is a gift from the Father, and we make it clear that we want to receive. Having Jesus in our lives — and all that means — is the outcome we desire and actively pursue.
By saying “Give me Jesus”, we present our hearts open and eager to receive from the Lord.
Decree
When it comes to God’s promises over our lives, we can participate in bringing them to fruition, and help align ourselves with His stated will by decreeing or “declaring” what He has said.
By saying “Give me Jesus”, we say that we agree with the promises of God and align with the outcome of His will being done.
It’s a simple song. I hope all this talk doesn’t take the pleasure of that away from you. I just want to encourage you that, simple as it is, a song like this can do more to draw you and the Lord closer together than you might have thought. Sing it, enjoy it, respect it.
Now, let the gladness in your heart put a twinkle in your eye as you stand firm, and pray in agreement with the Lord of life, peace, grace and mercy, starting with such a simple phrase as “Give me Jesus”.
God bless you lots
-Dale R.
LYRICS – Give Me Jesus
African American Spiritual
1. In the morning when I rise,
In the morning when I rise,
In the morning when I rise,
Give me Jesus.
Chorus
Give me Jesus,
Give me Jesus
You can have all this world,
Give me Jesus.
2. Oh, when I am alone,
Oh, when I am alone,
Oh, when I am alone,
Give me Jesus.
3. And when I want to sing,
And when I want to sing,
And when I want to sing,
Give me Jesus.
4. Oh, when my day is done,
Oh, when my day is done,
Oh, when my day is done,
Give me Jesus.
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Share your wisdom with other readers ...
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I hear some desperation in the songwriter’s choice of words. No matter what happens, “Give Me Jesus”.
Steve, I think your are right … some versions of this particular song through the years have had some amount of desperation being dealt with. Other versions had lyrics that seemed to lean more into the joy of the solution. But in all versions, always — GIVE ME JESUS! Praise the Lord. Thanks for your note. God bless you lots — Dale R.