Classic song, timeless encouragement. Enjoy the song then we’ll talk some more.
Who sings these kid’s songs?
For a century and a half children around the world have been singing these simple but deep words.
Is it only a children’s song? I read that the famous Swiss theologian Karl Barth (1868-1968) was asked to summarize the essential doctrines of his Christian faith. Barth responded to the inquirer with the simple answer: “Jesus loves me, this I know for the Bible tells me so.”
The lady that wrote the lyrics to this song, Anna Bartlett Warner, grew up near West Point. Young West Point Cadets attended Bible classes and Sunday School services she and her sister conducted for forty years. It was not unusual for the military cadets to sing “Jesus Loves Me” while they were on duty.
Who sings this? Children, a centurion theologian — and soldiers are among the singers.
WW II – this song to the resuce
In 1944 John Hershey, writing in “The New Yorker” magazine, published an article titled “Survival”. John F. Kennedy had told him a story about the men rescued from the PT 109, the boat the future president commanded, which was destroyed in the Solomon Islands in World War II. After being stranded for several days, Kennedy and his men were discovered by a couple of natives. As a rescue boat took them to safety, one of the rescued men sat on the deck, his arm around a couple of natives who had been mission trained and the three of them sang “Jesus Loves Me” together — a song all three knew. It was a huge encouragement to all.
Durable song
“Jesus Loves Me” is a simple song expressing a huge piece of truth. It has meant much to people around the world. It is easy to sing and remember. Its message paints a picture youngsters can understand of an approachable and ever-present Savior. Then picture continues to grow and develop as gain years and experiences with the Lord. What a wonderful song to sing and remember! What a valuable truth to carry in our hearts, that “Jesus Loves Me”. Enjoy!
God bless you lots,
-Dale R.
Jesus Loves Me
Text: Anna Bartlett Warner (1859)
Tune: William B. Bradbury (1861)
1 Jesus loves me, this I know,
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to him belong;
They are weak, but he is strong.
Refrain:
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.
2. Jesus is the best of friends
Gives us life that never ends
We don’t need to live in fear
Our dear Lord is always near
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Share your thoughts
Please leave a comment to bless others who visit this page. Jot it below in “Leave a reply”. Thanks for visiting, thanks for commenting. – Dale R.
Good early morning Mr Dale, AWESOME SONG.. Mr Dale, u stated , who sang these songs, I would have to say, anybody who 💘 ‘S OUR FATHER JESUS, BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVES 💘 US…WHAT U SAID MR DALE,, YES JESUS LOVES 💘 US, ..HOW DO WE KNOW THIS, I WOULD SAY, HE DIED SO THAT WE MIGHT LIVE, NOW THAT’S UNCONDITIONALLY 💘, ……MEMORIES, ONE THAT MY MOTHER SANG TO US, MANY, MANY YEARS AGO..,AS LONG AS WE KNOW OUR FATHER JESUS LOVES 💘 US, NOTHING ELSE MATTERS…AS LONG AS WE LOVE HIM BACK..MR DALE, PLEASE KEEP SHARING THE BLESSINGS, …..BLESSINGS UPON BLESSINGS 🙏 🙌 GOES OUT TO U AND YOUR FAMILY 👪…………MUCH BLESSINGS 🙏 🙌 .. 🙏
Julia, I agree, this song has been a blessing to kids of all ages for a LONG time. It’s actually about 170 years old. Classic. Thanks for your blessings! God bless you lots – Dale
I had no idea about this song’s author…love that sisters had 40 years of ministry together. What a gift! Also hearing the second verse for the first time, it’s wonderful. This was the last song we sang as a family for Cindy over the phone … What a blessing it’s the song you shared this week too. So sweet, so comforting.
I marvel how this song showed up here and there the same week. The second verse is new … there are other verses people had added to this song over the years. None quite fit what I thought would bless, so I wrote the second verse for this recording. That’s probably why it sounded new to you. Thanks for your comment! God bless you lots – D.
Because of the simple lyrics, ‘children’s’ songs are such a powerful for teaching and retention – no matter the age of the child 🙂
Loved the historical references! Thanks as always for sharing!
Dina
Dina, thanks much for your comment. It continues to amaze and fascinate me to see how something as fleeting and portable as a little song can move so much in our hearts, minds … and memories. God can make weak things strong. God bless you lots! -Dale R.
Dale,
Love this old but so comforting song I can remember singing it in Church when I was little, also I remember Jonathan singing it when He was small. I also love the second verse, I don’t think I have heard that before. 😊
Brenda, I love the thought of you being there to hear young Jonathan sing this. The second verse seems to belong to the song … though I’ll admit it IS brand new … there were some other “real” verses I didn’t want to include, but this new one seemed to want to be written and added to this rendition of an otherwise 160 year old song. God bless you lots -D.
Fascinating anecdotes! Thank you for finding them and for presenting a fresh look at such a foundational truth! It occurred to me a few days before reading this that during all seasons, and particularly during our recent global struggles, we all would benefit from internalizing just how deeply God loves us! Sometimes I forget that he loves ME and not just “WE.” It’s a comforting reminder! ❤️
Sarah, what a great way to put it … “He loves ME and not just WE.” THANK you for adding! God bless you lots – D.