Wat 'n Vriend Het Ons in Jesus

The story of this hymn

Joseph Scriven wrote the English original in 1855 as a private poem to comfort his mother in Ireland; he was in Canada, where he had emigrated after his bride-to-be drowned on the eve of their wedding, and he wrote from inside his own grief. He never meant it to be published. Set to Charles Converse's tune in 1868, it travelled the world, and the Afrikaans version has been a staple of Afrikaans congregations for generations — sung in sickrooms as readily as at funerals.

Where it sits in the service

Usually the hymn after the tributes, or the second hymn — its steady, familiar melody lets a grieving congregation actually sing, because most people know it by heart. It also serves well at the graveside. Print the number from your congregation's hymnal, and put the first line under the title so guests can find it quickly.

In the programme, list it in the order of service as “Hymn — Wat 'n Vriend Het Ons in Jesus” with the leader or choir named beside it.

How it is actually sung

The Afrikaans “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”, and one of the most familiar hymns in any Afrikaans congregation. Three verses, comfortable at a moderate pace, and it holds up unaccompanied. A safe choice where the congregation’s churchgoing is uncertain.

Printing the words

Print the gesang number rather than the words. Afrikaans churches work from a specific hymnal and the number is more useful to the congregation than a reprinted text — confirm it with the church office.

This is practical guidance rather than legal advice. Reproduction rights vary by territory, by hymnal edition and by the licence your church holds — the church office is the right place to ask, and they answer this question often.