ChordPocket

What a Friend We Have in Jesus chords

Joseph Scriven (words, 1855), Charles Converse (music, 1868)

Scriven wrote the poem to comfort his mother, and Converse's tune made it a hymnal staple. It is a gentle, easy-paced song for beginners.

Chords
4
Level
Easy
Time
4/4

Chords

G213
C×321
D××132
A7×12

Chart

Verse

  1. G
  2. /
  3. C
  4. G
  5. G
  6. /
  7. D
  8. /
  9. G
  10. /
  11. C
  12. G
  13. G
  14. D
  15. G
  16. /
  17. D
  18. /
  19. G
  20. /
  21. D
  22. /
  23. A7
  24. D
  25. G
  26. /
  27. C
  28. G
  29. G
  30. D
  31. G
  32. /

How to play it

You need 4 chords: G, C, D and A7. The change you'll make most is D to G, so practice switching between those two slowly before playing along.

Each box is one bar of 4/4 time. Strum the chord on the beat, and change when the next box starts. A slash means keep playing the same chord.

Questions

What chords are in What a Friend We Have in Jesus?

This arrangement uses G, C, D and A7.

Is What a Friend We Have in Jesus easy to play on guitar?

Fairly. None of the 4 chords needs a full barre, though there are a few more shapes to learn.