My Jesus I Love Thee

My Jesus, I Love Thee

William R. Featherston

My Jesus I love Thee; I know Thou art mine.

For Thee all the follies Of sin I resign.

My gracious Redeemer, My Savior art Thou.

If ever I loved Thee, My Jesus, 'tis now.

I love Thee, Because Thou hast first loved me,

And purchased my pardon On Calvary's tree.

I love Thee For wearing the thorns On Thy brow.

If ever I loved Thee, My Jesus, 'tis now.

I'll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,

And praise Thee As long as Thou lendest me breath;

And say when the death dew Lies cold on my brow,

"If ever I loved Thee, My Jesus, 'tis now."

In mansions of glory And endless delight,

I'll ever adore Thee In heaven so bright.

I'll sing with the glittering crown

On my brow,"If ever I loved Thee, My Jesus, 'tis now."

William R. Featherston was born on July 23, 1846. Little is known about this hymn except that he wrote it at age sixteen! It has been reported that he sent it to an aunt in California and it was published as "anonymous" in a British hymnal in 1864. He died at age 26.