The Cyber Hymnal ‎#3136

3136. I've Found a Friend

1. I’ve found a Friend, O such a friend!
He loved me ere I knew Him;
He drew me with the cords of love,
and thus He bound me to Him;
And round my heart still closely twine
those ties which naught can sever,
For I am His, and He is mine,
forever and forever.

2. I’ve found a Friend, O such a friend!
He bled, He died to save me;
And not alone the gift of life,
but His own Self He gave me!
Naught that I have mine own I call,
I’ll hold it for the Giver,
My heart, my strength, my life, my all
are His, and His forever.

3. I’ve found a Friend, O such a friend!
All pow’r to Him is given,
To guard me on my onward course,
and bring me safe to heaven.
The eternal glories gleam afar,
to nerve my faint endeavor;
So now to watch, to work, to war,
and then to rest forever.

4. I’ve found a Friend, O such a friend!
So kind and true and tender,
So wise a Counselor and Guide,
so mighty a Defender!
From Him who loves me now so well
what power my soul can sever?
Shall life or death, shall earth or hell?
No! I am His forever.

Text Information

• First Line: I've found a Friend, O such a friend!
• Title: I've Found a Friend
• Author: James G. Small (1863)
• Meter: 87.87 D
• Language: English
• Source: The Re­viv­al Hymn Book, se­cond ser­ies, 1863
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: On one occasion when Mr. Moorehouse and I were holding meetings at Scarboro, in the north of England, the services were attended by a number of Quaker ladies, among them a cousin of John Bright, the great English statesman. Wishing to have this hymn sung at one of the meetings, this lady wrote out the following hymn request: Will Mr. Sankey please repeat the hymn 'I've Found a Friend,' in his usual way? In thus wording her note she avoided asking me to sing, which is against the custom of the Society of Friends. We were holding a cottage prayer-meeting in a lodging house, says a minister of Nottinghamshire, England, when a young man lodging there came in to the meeting in fun-seeking manner. We sang, prayed and read a chapter out of God's Word, and then the young man asked if we would sing a hymn for him. He chose 'I've found a Friend, oh, such a Friend.' When we had sung one verse he began to shed tears, and I am glad to say that he gave his heart to God through the singing of that beautiful hymn. The next morning, he left the place, but before leaving he wrote me a letter, of which I give these extracts: I asked you sing that hymn because it was a favorite of my darling sister, who is waiting for me at the gates in heaven. I have now promised to meet her there. By God's help, if we do not meet again on earth, I promise to meet you in heaven. You will always think of me when you sing, I've Found a Friend." Show this letter to my two other friends. Sankey. Al­ter­nate tune: FRIEND, George C. Steb­bins, 1878

Tune Information

• Name: CONSTANCE (Sullivan)
• Composer: Ar­thur Seymour Sul­li­van (1875)
• Meter: 87.87 D
• Key: E♭ Major
• Copyright: Public Domain