Oh, How I Love Jesus written by Frederick Whitfield this song fuses a 19th-century English text with an American tune, most likely from the camp-meeting era. It is this combination that provides a lilting song that Christian congregations have enjoyed for over 150 years. Hymns that focus on the name of Jesus are a significant subset of congregational song repertoire. The power of Jesus’ name is a theme that has many biblical sources, but perhaps none more important than the kenosis (self-emptying) hymn found in Philippians 2:5-11: It begins with, “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus” (verse five), and concludes, “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (verses 10-11). The refrain, “O how I love Jesus,” was not part of the original poem. The addition of a refrain was a common technique employed during the 19th century for revival songs. In many cases these refrains were associated with other texts.
Songs with Banjo from Harold Hagler
