A couple of weeks ago the choir at church sang the hymn “I’d Rather Have Jesus.” My cousin Maria sings the verses and the rest of us join in on the chorus. Even though we’ve sung the song before, that day Chatter really enjoyed it and came home and learned to play it.
“I’d Rather Have Jesus” was George Beverly Shea’s signature song. I assumed he learned it in church, but I was wrong he had a part in writing the song.
Here’s an excerpt from the website Following God’s Word and Finding Christ’s Joy.
George Beverly Shea was known for his booming baritone voice. He ministered alongside Billy Graham and Cliff Barrows, often singing right before Graham stepped to the podium. One of his best-known songs was, “I’d Rather Have Jesus.”
Mr. Shea was born in Winchester, Ontario, Canada. He had the advantage of good musical training early in life. In his early years, he had his share of lucrative offers from this world.
Shea had been singing since he was a young man in the Wesleyan Methodist churches, where his father was a minister. He was forced to leave college and work in an insurance office as a young man, due to the family’s financial needs. However, that did not stop him from singing. He continued to sing in churches and for Christian radio programs. This practice led to the unexpected offer of an audition in New York City. He was offered a substantial salary and wide recognition for this secular singing position. Shea prayed long and hard while making this difficult decision, but he thoughtfully turned them down to become a singing servant for our Savior.
Beginning with Billy Graham in 1944, George Beverly Shea carried the Gospel in song to every state in the Union and to every continent of our world. “I first met Bev Shea while in Chicago when he was on Moody Radio,” declared Mr. Graham. “As a young man starting my ministry, I asked Bev if he would join me. He said yes and for over 60 years we had the privilege of ministering together.”
Bev Shea’s mother often would leave poems and quotes around the house that she collected, in order to spiritually guide him. “I was living at home with my parents, continuing to work at Mutual Life Insurance and studying voice. Going to the piano one Sunday morning, I found a poem waiting for me there. I recognized my mother’s handwriting. She had copied the words of a poem by Mrs. Rhea F. Miller, knowing that I would read the beautiful message, which speaks of choice.”
This is how George Beverly Shea tells the story himself:
“The poem was written by a lady named Rhea Miller. Mother thought it to be a very wonderful poem and wanted me to read it. She then asked me to try my hand at writing a melody for the verses.” He was immediately impressed with the words and so “deeply moved” that he began to compose music for the lines. “I began to play as a melody came to me. It seemed to fit the lyrics and so I began to sing, for the first time, I’d Rather Have Jesus.”
That same day, he sang the song in his father’s church service. As the people in the church listened to George’s deep voice sing out “I’d Rather Have Jesus, than silver or gold,” little did they know that the song was destined to become one of the most well-known of all recent Christian hymns.
When Bev Shea signed with RCA Victor, I’d Rather Have Jesus was chosen to spotlight their new singer.
Bev Shea commented, “Over the years, I’ve not sung any song more than I’d Rather Have Jesus, but I never grow weary of Mrs. Miller’s heartfelt words.”
He allowed these words to guide and direct him as a young man, and we are better off for it. Otherwise he may never have teamed up with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Crusades and shared such a powerful message with the world in song.
— Following God’s Word and Finding Christ’s Joy
I hope you enjoyed Chatter and Paul’s video of the old song! I thought Granny’s comment made a great ending to the video 🙂
Tipper
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So sweet and so true for how I feel!
…when satan knocks on the door…let Jesus answer it for ya…
Tipper, You do a wonderful job on this website. I havent found you reading the last couple weeks, though.???
I thought you might not be reading ( with Granny & grandparenting yourself that would be understandable ). But i see Brenda T.’s comment about enjoying the new book. I enjoyed the quilt book. Do you know why im not getting this link ?
Melinda-Thank you! You can find the new book here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1hkzqrN_R5338m6-Q3whcsNDOGF4NeE5 Do you usually get the notifications from YouTube? If so sometimes something causes you to be unsubscribed so you might want to check and make sure you are still subscribed and have the notification bell clicked. I share the link to the book reading here on the blog on Saturday mornings 🙂
Thank you, Tipper!
No, i usually follow the links at the end of your blogs.
Loved it, Chatter and Paul.
Tipper, thanks so much for sharing with us.
And we agree Granny that was very good!!
One of the many old hymns in my childhood memories. I always loved to hear Mr. Shea sing on the televised crusades. Sure do miss those.
Tipper,
I rather have “ Jesus” is one of my favorite hymns. Kori and Paul did a fantastic job!!
Blessings to you and yours, Have a great Sunday! Kori looks radiant . Hilary
Miss Tipper, thank you for this beautiful tribute to Mr. Shea. As a young person, I’m 77, I remember watching Billy Graham and the staff of his programs. Mr. Shea always stood out when he sang those beautiful hymns. I truly believe it was because of this wonderful ministry, that I was led to my salvation. I was saved by the grace of God, the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. There have been many ministries since, but none of them have ever touched me like the Billy Graham Ministries. Have a wonderful Sunday everyone and blessings to all.
Beautiful job Corie and Paul! I remember watching the Billy Graham crusades with my parents and loved hearing George Beverly Shea sing. That was a powerhouse team, the singing and preaching. Thanks to Corie and Paul for sharing this wonderful, old song and Granny’s comment was the perfect ending 🙂
Lovely ❤️
What a beautiful way to to start a Sunday morning. A wonderful old hymn beautifully presented by Corie and Paul. I didn’t realize George Beverly Shea wrote the music for it.
Have a blessed Sunday everyone.
That is the TRUTH! Whether one acknowledges Jesus’ truth or ever comes to a saving faith, that is the TRUTH. Of course I am paraphrasing, but after their enmity (and I don’t know what the topic was of their going their separate ways) George Whitfield was asked if he thought he would see John Wesley in heaven and he said, “No! He’ll be so close to the throne of God that I probably won’t get close enough to see him.”
Now, these were 2 GREAT men of the Great Awakening, horseback evangelists of, I think, the mid 1700’s. And even though perhaps their “understanding” of truth may have differed, they STILL HAD the UTMOST RESPECT for each other. We need to get back to that, and you and your family surely afford an model opportunity for me and I’d expect many others. Thank you! Philippians 1:6
Very good! The lyrics are so true for most of us listening on this beautiful Sunday morning.
How beautiful. I have heard this song all my life and I, too, would rather have Jesus!
Thank you for this, Tipper. Thank you, Corrie, Paul and Granny. Have a blessed Sunday.
Lovely, Tipper. Thank you.
I, too, would rather have Jesus than anything or anyone. He loves me. And He is more than enough. Furthermore, because He loves me, I can love people as they are and can also fully enjoy the beauty and wonder of this world. Truly, life with Jesus is good.
I love this song, especially when sung by Corey and Paul, and then hearing Granny for the first time in quite awhile. Many thanks to all three.
I really enjoyed this. I too remember watching Billy Graham along with my Mother and Daddy on a black and white tv when I was a child. I also remember going to one of his services at Greenville, SC in the early 60’s and going to the front at the end of the service and wanting to be “saved”. I think the service was held at a place named The Textile Hall at that time. The place is still there but has changed names several times.
I sang this song at my aunts funeral in 2016. While she didn’t have a lot of earthly possessions, as gaged by society, she loved Jesus, her family and her church. I have not been able to sing this song since that time; thank you for the good remembrance.
I re-played the video of Chatter and Paul singing “I’d Rather Have Jesus”. I enjoyed it the first time and again this morning when I heard the song. They did a great job on it. I listened to Billy Graham preach almost every time he had a crusade, but I really looked forward to George Beverly Shea singing. I especially remember him singing “How Great Thou Art” and could feel the Spirit hovering over the crowd. He had a wonderful voice. I’m on my way to Sunday School and Church. Have a great Sunday everyone.
One of the best songs ever written. George Beverly Shea was truly a singing servant for Christ.
Happy Sunday morning everyone! I watched Corrie and Paul perform this song on the you tube channel a few days ago. It’s a sweet song, and Granny is right…it’s very very good.
My husband was a baritone singer all his life and always loved hearing George Beverly Shea sing. I enjoyed reading the story of the song this morning. Also enjoyed hearing it sung this morning. Happy Sunday to all.
Amen. I needed that. And I also agree with Granny. Just think, Shea’s life mirrored the song yet he was also blessed to have those things the sing names as being less desired. That’s how the Lord does.
Your posts fills my soul with joy. God Bless.
God bless you friends, God bless Granny Wilson
God bless you friend have a great day, God bless Granny Wilson, in Jesus mighty name
I always enjoy hearing this song. My pastor who passed away 10 years ago this November, who had a beautiful voice sang it often. Great job Chatter and Paul.
Amen, thank you, Jesus! They sang it well and Granny is right, it’s “very good”.
Happy Sunday, y’all!
Have you always had the “Blind Pig and the Acorn Story Song Series” graphic, with the scroll, quill pen and the pig? Omgosh that graphic is the cutest little thing ever, maybe I just noticed it! And what a great, great story about Mr Shea and our Jesus, (amazing things happen when Jesus is our best friend!)
Lorie-Paul created it when he first started the series 🙂 I think it’s cute too!
Beautiful! Chatter and Paul sang and played it beautifully, and they meant every word they sang! Thank you for sharing! God bless you and yours❤❤
I agree with Granny, very good! I’d rather have Jesus too!
I remember well watching the Billy Graham revival meetings on the black and white TV, with my parents. Even as a small child, I was impressed watching George Beverly Shea walk to the podium and lift his voice in praise to our Lord. Thanks for sparking my memory this morning.