What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Joseph M. Scriven wrote this poem in 1855. Charles C. Converse set it to music in 1868, and that tune is the one in most hymnals today.

On a C harmonica the melody fits in holes 6 to 10 without any bends. The lowest note is the 6 blow on “All” and the highest is the 10 draw on “friend.”

Harmonica tabs

Verse 1

9    9 -10    9  8    7  7   -6
What a friend we have in Je- sus,

6   7   8    7   9      8  -8
All our sins and griefs to bear!

9    9 -10   9  8    7  7    -6
What a priv- i- lege to car- ry

6   7    8     -8 7   -7 7
Ev- ery- thing to God in prayer!

-8 7    -8    8  -9  -8  8    9
O  what peace we of- ten for- feit,

-10 -10  9     8    -9   8  -8
O   what need- less pain we bear,

9   9   -10   9  8  7   7    -6
All be- cause we do not car- ry

6   7    8     -8 7   -7 7
Ev- ery- thing to God in prayer.

Lines 1, 3, and 7 start the same way, and lines 4 and 8 are identical. Once those feel comfortable, only lines 5 and 6 are new.

Playing tips

• This tune sits high on the harmonica, in holes 6 to 10. Blow and draw gently up there; the top holes need less breath than the middle ones.
• The 10 draw is the hardest note here. Keep your lips relaxed and draw softly; pulling hard makes it sound thin.
• Play it slowly, at a walking pace, and hold the last note of each line.
• Words: Joseph M. Scriven, 1855. Music: Charles C. Converse, 1868. Public domain.