Scripture Verse

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

Introduction

portrait
Charles H. Gabriel (1856–1932)

Words: Liz­zie De­Ar­mond & Charles H. Ga­bri­el, in The Vic­to­ry (Cin­cin­na­ti, Ohio: Jen­nings & Gra­ham, 1908), num­ber 6.

Music: Mi­ri­an Chris­ten­sen (🔊 pdf nwc). The first few mea­sures are the same as James R. Mur­ray’s tune Muel­ler.

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Chris­ten­sen (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els), or a bet­ter one of De­Ar­mond,

portrait
Lizzie DeArmond (1847–1936)

Lyrics

The Sav­ior of sin­ners
From glo­ry came down,
My hope of sal­va­tion to be;
Was scourged for my guilt,
And was mocked with a crown—
He’s more than a friend to me.

Refrain

He’s more than a friend,
More than a friend,
He’s more than a friend to me;
This Sav­ior of sin­ners,
This King of all kings,
Is more than a friend to me.

When brok­en with sor­row,
And trem­bling with fear,
To Him with my bur­den I flee;
No mat­ter what trou­bles
Or tri­als ap­pear—
He’s more than a friend to me.

Refrain

In mo­ments of weak­ness
Upon Him I lean,
His pro­mise my hope and my plea;
So gent­ly He leads, tho’
His hand is un­seen—
He’s more than a friend to me.

Refrain

Sometime in His beau­ty,
Thro’ won­der­ful grace,
This King of all kings I shall see;
And oh, ’twill be hea­ven
To look on His face—
He’s more than a friend to me.

Refrain