UNGUMHLOBO WETH' UJESU, Hymn 76
Amagama Okuhlabelela

INSTRUMENTAL SING'ALONG,

Nina Enikhatheleyo HYMN 195
(What a friend we have in Jesus)

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LYRICS

1. Ungumhlobo Weth' uJESU
Uzithwala izinsizi
Kuye singaletha konke
Konke ngomthandazo wethu
Asinakho ukuthula
Nezinsizi zisihlupha
Uma singayisi kuye
Konke ngomthandazo wethu

2. Nxa silingwa sihlupheka
Sizwa ubunzima njalo
Akudingi sidangale
Siye kuye ngomthandazo
Ungumhlob' othembekayo
Izinsizi wozithwala
Uyabaz'ubuntu bethu
Siye kuye ngomthandazo.

3. Uma sinomthwal' onzima
Sigcwel' ukukhathazeka
Jesu, Nkosi, uyinqaba,
Siye kuwe ngomthandazo.
Nxa sizondwa singathandwa,
Masihambe siye kuye,
Wosigon' ezingalweni
Sifumane ukuthula.

4.* Manje thokozani nina
Nifumane emhlabeni
Ukuphila okufana
Nakho okusezulwini
Lapho akungen' ukona
Nobusuku abaziwa
Asidingwa nesibani
Yen' uJESU ulilanga

*verse 4 extracted from Hymn 195 NINA ENIKHATHELEYO.. Hymn 195 shares the same tune.

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ENGLISH VERSION:
"WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS"

Written by: Joseph Scriven in 1855
Translated by: H. A. Stick

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ENGLISH LYRICS:

1. What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and griefs to bear
And what a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer
Oh, what peace we often forfeit
Oh, what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer

2. Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged
Take it to the Lord in prayer
Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness
Take it to the Lord in prayer

3. Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.

4. Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
May we ever, Lord, be bringing
All to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
There will be no need for prayer—
Rapture, praise, and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there.

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The Story behind the song:
'What a Friend we Have in Jesus'

As shared by
By Lindsay Terry and many others in various communication platforms;

"That looks like a sober man, I think I'll hire him to cut wood for me." That was said of a man on the streets of Lake Rice, Canada, as he walked along carrying a wood saw and a sawhorse. The response from a man nearby was, "That's Joseph Scriven. He wouldn't cut wood for you because you can afford to hire him. He only cuts wood for those who don't have money enough to pay."

That seemed to be the philosophy and attitude of Scriven, a devoted member of the Plymouth Brethren Church. He had a sincere desire to help those who were truly destitute.
Joseph was born on Sept. 10, 1819, in Ireland. His parents had financial means enough to afford a wonderful educational opportunity for their son. He was enrolled in Trinity College in Dublin where he graduated with a bachelor's degree.

In this young man, Ireland had the prospect of a great citizen with high ideals and notable aspirations. He fell in love with a young lady who was eager to spend her life with him. However, on the day before their wedding she fell from her horse, while crossing a bridge over the River Bann and was drowned in the water below. Joseph stood helplessly watching from the other side.

In an effort to overcome his sorrow, he began to wander. By age 25 his travels had taken him to an area near Port Hope, Canada. He became highly regarded by the people of that area. He tutored some of the local children in their school work. It was there he met a wonderful young lady, Elisa Roche, and again fell in love. They had exciting plans to be married. However, tragedy reared its ugly head once again and she died of pneumonia before they could wed.

As indicated earlier in this story, he labored in Port Hope among the impoverished widows and sick people. He often served for no wages and even shared his clothes with those less fortunate than himself.

On an occasion when Joseph became ill, a friend who was visiting with him discovered a poem near his bed and asked who had written it. Scriven said, "The Lord and I did it between us." He thought the poem would, perhaps, bring some spiritual comfort to his Mom, who still lived in Ireland. Scriven had not intended that anyone else should see it.

On Aug. 10, 1886, Scriven's body was pulled from a body of water near Bewdly, Ontario. Two monuments have been erected in his honor. Each has the first stanza of his song engraved on it.

Charles Converse, an attorney and composer, wrote the musical setting used today.

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Submitted to youtube by Ngomusa Cheryl Yeni
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