Give Me Jesus originated as an African-American spiritual during the time of slavery in the United States. This song, like many of the spirituals, use the metaphor of “morning” to signify the time for going to heaven and for the resurrection. The simple, yet passionate lyrics of this song provokes a need to look deep within and examine our own spiritual journey.
In the morning when I rise,
in the morning when I rise,
in the morning when I rise,
give me Jesus.
Give me Jesus, give me Jesus.
You may have all this world,
give me Jesus.
Dark midnight was my cry,
dark midnight was cry,
dark midnight was my cry,
give me Jesus.
I heard the mourner say,
I heard the mourner say,
I heard the mourner say,
give me Jesus.
Oh, when I come to die,
oh, when I come to die,
oh, when I come to die,
give me Jesus.
Consider this:
“When it’s time to die, will you have the world, or will you have Jesus?
For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul. (Mark 8:36)