I WOULD RATHER HAVE JESUS

Composed by Beverly Shea and Rhea F. Miller

I would (E)rather have Jesus than (A)silver or (E)gold,
I would (E)rather be His than have riches un(B)told,
I would (E)rather have Jesus than (A)houses or (E)lands,
I would (E)rather be led by His nail (B)pierced (E)hands
Than to (B)be the king of a (A)vast do(E)main,
And be (B)held in sin's dread (A)swa(E)y.
I would (E)rather have Jesus than (A)any(E)thing
This old (E)world af(B)fords to(E)day.

Yes, I'd (A)rather have Jesus than (D)any(A)thing
This old (A)world af(E)fords to(A)day.

I would (A)rather have Jesus than (D)your ap(A)plause,
I would (A)rather be faithful to His dear (E)cause,
I would (A)rather have Jesus than (D)worldwide (A)fame,
I would (A)rather be true to His Ho(E)ly (A)Name
Than to (E)be the king of a (D)vast do(A)main
But be (E)held in sin's dread (D)swa(A)y.
I would (A)rather have Jesus than (D)any(A)thing
This old (A)world af(E)fords to(A)day.

For He's (A)fairer than lilies of (D)rarest (A)bloom.
Oh, He's (A)sweeter than honey from out of your (E)comb.
He is (A)all that my hungering (D)spirit (A)needs.
I would (A)rather have Him and let (E)Him (A)lead
Than to (E)be the king of a (D)vast do(A)main
Yet be (E)held in sin's dread (D)swa(A)y.
I would (A)rather have Jesus than (D)any(A)thing
This old (A)world af(E)fords to(A)day.

[Other lyrics by Father David:]
I would (G)rather have Jesus than a (C)soft warm (G)bed,
I would (G)rather have Him than a roof over(D)head,
I would (G)rather have Jesus than a (C)good hot (G)meal,
I would (G)rather have Him than these things (D)I (G)feel
Than to (C)be the pastor of a (Bb)great fine (F)church
But be (C)held in official board (Bb)swa(F)y.
Yes, I'd (A)rather have Jesus than (D)any(A)thing
This old world af(E)fords to(A)day.

[Other suggested lyrics by John Listen:]
I would rather have Jesus than a hard-rock band,
I would rather have Jesus than a studio at hand,
I would rather have Jesus than contracts grand,
I would rather have Jesus than the praise of man,
Than to play the lead on a smoke-filled stage,
And be swayed by the glamour and glare.
Yes, I'd rather have Jesus than anything
The old business, its woes and its wares.

Listing of All Chords in This Song