The Very Friend I Need

When I'm sad and heavy laden

Author: Eliza E. Hewitt
Tune: [When I'm sad and heavy laden]
Published in 7 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, MusicXML
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1. When I’m sad and heavy laden,
Burdened with the weight of sin,
Jesus is the very friend I need;
To the bloodstained cross He points me,
And He gives me peace within,
Jesus is the very friend I need.

Refrain
O, He is the best of friends,
For His goodness never ends,
And His love will every human thought exceed;
Let me love Him more and more,
’Till I stand on glory’s shore;
O, Jesus is the very friend I need.

2. When I’m struggling with temptation,
When my strength shall almost fail,
Jesus is the very friend I need;
For His arm will bring deliverance,
And His grace will still prevail,
Jesus is the very friend I need. [Refrain]

3. When I drink the cup of sorrow,
When I tread the path of grief,
Jesus is the very friend I need;
In His Word is consolation,
In His presence sweet relief,
Jesus is the very friend I need. [Refrain]

4. When I reach the silent river,
When I wait beside the tide,
Jesus is the very friend I need;
He will bear me o’er the billows
To the radiant morning side,
Jesus is the very friend I need. [Refrain]

Source: The Cyber Hymnal #7059

Author: Eliza E. Hewitt

Pseudonym: Li­die H. Ed­munds. Eliza Edmunds Hewitt was born in Philadelphia 28 June 1851. She was educated in the public schools and after graduation from high school became a teacher. However, she developed a spinal malady which cut short her career and made her a shut-in for many years. During her convalescence, she studied English literature. She felt a need to be useful to her church and began writing poems for the primary department. she went on to teach Sunday school, take an active part in the Philadelphia Elementary Union and become Superintendent of the primary department of Calvin Presbyterian Church. Dianne Shapiro, from "The Singers and Their Songs: sketches of living gospel hymn writers" by Charles Hutchinson Gabriel (… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: When I'm sad and heavy laden
Title: The Very Friend I Need
Author: Eliza E. Hewitt
Language: English
Refrain First Line: O, He is the best of friends
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Media

The Cyber Hymnal #7059
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Instances

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The Cyber Hymnal #7059

Include 6 pre-1979 instances
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