I Have A Friend Above All Others

Written by Sam Cooke

Trivia

• It was never released during Sam Cooke's life, it took 20 years

Soul Stirrers:    

• Sam Cooke, Paul Foster - leads   
• S.R. Crain - first tenor
• Thomas L. Bruster, R.B. Robinson - baritones  
• Jesse J. Farley - bass

Musicians    Piano - most likely Faidest Wagoner    /    organ and drums unknown

Recorded February 27, 1953 by J.W. Alexander at Universal Recorders in Hollywood

MP3 at Amazon.com

Albums    

• The Complete Recordings of Sam Cooke with the Soul Stirrers
• Jesus Gave Me Water
• My Gospel Roots
• Peace In The Valley
• That's Heaven To Me
• Wonderful

Live Version

Recorded July 22, 1955 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles

The Soul Stirrers:      Sam Cooke, Paul Foster - leads     /     Senior Roy Crain - first tenor     /    Bob King, R.B. Robinson - baritones    /    Jesse J. Farley - bass    /    Bob King - guitar

A&R: Bumps Blackwell

Albums   

• The Complete Recordings of Sam Cooke with the Soul Stirrers 
• The Great 1955 Shrine Concert

Lyrics

Somebody knows why I am tempted
somebody cares when things go wrong
somebodys love is always there to guide you
and make you strong

Lord I have a friend
he is above all others
his love is so far from others
eternal life is yours to know him
is deeper than the sea
savior devine, friend of mine

Lord I cannot tell how much I love him
I cannot tell all of my Gods love for me
I only know it measures deeper than the sea

Jesus alone can know my sadness
Jesus alone can bring me gladness
I'm filled with joy just because I know him
savior devine, friend of mine
but Lord I have a friend above all others