Jesu Ni Gbogbo Aye Fun Mi

Author: Will L. Thompson (1847-1909)

Jesu ni gbogbo aye fun mi Iye at'ayo mi Agbara mi lojojumo Laisi Re mo subu Ni'banuje Oun ni mo to Nitori ko s'eni bi Re Ni'banuje O m'ayo wa Ore mi. Jesu ni gbogbo aye fun mi Ore nigba 'danwo Fun ibukun Oun ni mo to Mo ni lopolopo O morun ran, o mojo ro Ikore wura si n po si Orun ojo at'ikore Ore mi Jesu ni gbogb'aye fun mi Nko si ni tan Oun je O ti buru to bi mo se Gbat'Oun ko tan mi je? Ni tito Re nko le sina O n toju mi losan loru Ni tito Re losan loru Ore mi Jesu ni gbogb'aye fun mi Nko fe elomiran N o gbekele nisisiyi T'ojo aye nkoja Aye ewa lodo Re na Aye ewa ti ko lopin Iye, ayo ainipekun Ore mi

Jesus is all the world to me, my life, my joy, my all; He is my strength from day to day, without Him I would fall: when I am sad, to Him I go; no other one can cheer me so; when I am sad, He makes me glad; He's my friend. Jesus is all the world to me, my friend in trials sore; I go to Him for blessings, and He gives them o'er and o'er:  He sends the sunshine and the rain,  He sends the harvest's golden grain; sunshine and rain, harvest of grain; He's my friend.  Jesus is all the world to me,  and true to Him I'll be;  oh, how could I this friend deny  when He's so true to me?  Following Him, I know I'm right,  He watches o'er me day and night;  Following Him, by day and night;  He's my friend.  Jesus is all the world to me,  I want no better friend;  I trust Him now, I'll trust Him when Life's fleeting days shall end:  beautiful life with such a friend, beautiful life that has no end;  eternal life, eternal joy; He's my friend.

Gospel songs offer the singer the experience of a deeply personal relationship with Jesus Christ in a language that is simple and down to earth. Will L. Thompson (1847-1909) fulfills this expectation in a gospel song that reflects a child-like faith and trust in Jesus, the truest friend of all.

“Jesus is all the world to me” first appeared in a collection prepared by the author, New Century Hymnal(1904). 

 Thompson was born in East Liverpool, Ohio. (His father Josiah served for two terms in the Ohio State Legislature.)

Thompson seemed to always have a goal of being a musician. He attended the Boston Conservatory of Music and pursued additional musical study in Leipzig, Germany, where J.S. Bach had served as a church and civic musician in the 18th century. 

 As a composer, Thompson achieved recognition for his contributions to patriotic and other secular songs, but his primary interest was composing sacred songs. He became a very successful music publisher, establishing Will L. Thompson & Co. offices in East Liverpool and Chicago, and earning himself a sizeable income.

(Read more here.)