The Precious Friend

There's an eye that watches over me

Author: Eliza E. Hewitt
Tune: [There's an eye that watches over me]
Published in 2 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, MusicXML
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1. There’s an eye that watches o’er me,
Everywhere I’m called to go;
There’s a light that shines before me,
Brighter still the way will grow;
There’s a tender hand to guide me,
Thro’ the sunlight and the shade;
There’s a friend who walks beside me,
Ready to defend and aid.

Refrain
Jesus is the precious friend,
Brightening life’s changeful story;
To His name be all the glory,
He will guide me and defend;
Joy, joy, happy songs ascend;
He will comfort me in sadness,
Fill my heart with peace and gladness,
Jesus is my precious friend.

2. O, to love this friend more dearly,
Yielding all my life to Him!
O, to trust Him more sincerely,
Whether skies be bright or dim;
Let my daily service praise Him,
Let my voice hosannas swell;
Grateful carols I would raise Him,
Jesus doeth all things well. [Refrain]

3. Never will this friend forsake me,
I would in His love confide,
Then whatever ills o’ertake me,
Peace shall in my soul abide;
O, how great is His salvation,
O, what mercy He’ll extend!
He my hope and expectation,
He, my everlasting friend. [Refrain]

Source: The Cyber Hymnal #5665

Author: Eliza E. Hewitt

Pseudonym: Li­die H. Ed­munds. Eliza Edmunds Hewitt was born in Philadelphia 28 June 1851. She was educated in the public schools and after graduation from high school became a teacher. However, she developed a spinal malady which cut short her career and made her a shut-in for many years. During her convalescence, she studied English literature. She felt a need to be useful to her church and began writing poems for the primary department. she went on to teach Sunday school, take an active part in the Philadelphia Elementary Union and become Superintendent of the primary department of Calvin Presbyterian Church. Dianne Shapiro, from "The Singers and Their Songs: sketches of living gospel hymn writers" by Charles Hutchinson Gabriel (… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: There's an eye that watches over me
Title: The Precious Friend
Author: Eliza E. Hewitt
Language: English
Refrain First Line: Jesus is the precious Friend
Copyright: Public Domain

Media

The Cyber Hymnal #5665
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The Cyber Hymnal #5665

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