HYMNS AND THEIR STORIES – 15 “I’d Rather have Jesus” Author: Rhea F. Miller (March 5th 1894 – March 3rd 1966) Music: George Beverly Shea. (1909 – April 16th 2013 reaching 104 years of age) Key: D♭ Major. Meter: Irregular Copyright: 1939, then 1967 by Word Music, LLC
oday’s hymn was penned in 1922 by Rhea F. (Ross) Miller and its most famous melody composed by George Beverly Shea in 1939. Rhea Ross was born in 1894 in Brooktondale, New York. Her mother, Bertha, was a Christian but her father was an alcoholic who wanted nothing to do with church or religion. But Bertha, faithfully prayed for her husband and eventually he accepted Christ and became a Pastor.
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1. I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold; I’d rather be His than have riches untold; I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands, I’d rather be led by His nail pierced hand. Refrain: Than to be the king of a vast domain, Or be held in sin’s dread sway, I’d rather have Jesus than anything This world affords today. 2. I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause; I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause; I’d rather have Jesus than world-wide fame, I’d rather be true to His holy Name.
Their son Howard met Rhea Ross, fell in love with her and married her. Rhea was walking through a field near her home in 1922 where 3. He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom; she mused on her father’s testimony of being He’s sweeter than honey from out of the comb; delivered from alcoholism, and how he would He’s all that my hungering spirit needs, rather have Jesus than all the silver and I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead. gold. From those reflections she penned the words, but the melody that would make the song known world-wide would be composed several years later by George Beverly Shea. Shea said in 1933 as he sat one evening playing the piano, his dear mother brought a piece of paper on which was written this poem by Rhea Miller. She asked him to write a melody for it. So he began to play and a melody came. The melody seemed to fit the lyric, and he began to sing and play this song for the first time – it really became George Beverly Shea’s signature song. His rich bass voice, coupled George Beverly Shea with a sincere Christian attitude carried him to the zenith of man’s acclaim for gospel soloists. He has been associated with evangelist Billy Graham, and their travels have carried them to scores of nations around the world. He was honoured by the Guinness Book of World Records for having sung before more than 220 million people – more than anyone in history. Philippians 3:8 says, “What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.” I’d rather have Jesus than world-wide fame, I’d rather be true to His holy Name! [Swedish sources claim that the poem was originally written by Prince Oscar Bernadotte, who gave up his royal title in 1888 to marry a commoner who had influenced his beliefs, and he became very active in Christian service. Can this be confirmed?] Anthony K. Chamberlain
I’d Rather have Jesus “What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Matthew 16:25-26 “I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord” Philippians 3:8
