If you’ve ever attended a Vacation Bible School as a kid or as an adult teacher, then you have probably sung the song “I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy” (down in my heart) many times. It’s a great song that is easy to sing and that makes you happy just to sing it or hear children singing it. We always clapped as we sang the chorus. It sort of seemed like we had to with all that happy singing.
Here are the verses that you hear most often.
I have the joy, joy, joy, joy,
Down in my heart, (where?)
Down in my heart, (where?)
Down in my heart,
I have the joy, joy, joy, joy,
Down in my heart, (where?)
Down in my heart to stay.
(Chorus) And I’m so happy, so very happy
I have the love of Jesus in my heart.
(Down in my heart)
And I’m so happy, so very happy
I have the love of Jesus in my heart.
I have the love of Jesus, love of Jesus,
Down in my heart, (where?)
Down in my heart, (where?)
Down in my heart,
I have the love of Jesus, love of Jesus,
Down in my heart, (where?)
Down in my heart to stay.
(Chorus)
I’ve got the peace that passeth understanding
Down in my heart, (where?)
Down in my heart, (where?)
Down in my heart,
I’ve got the peace that passes understanding
Down in my heart, (where?)
Down in my heart to stay.
(Chorus)
I’m thinking that by now many of you are either singing this in your head or maybe right out loud. There are other verses that can be added on. Our preacher liked to add one that said “I’ve got the wonderful love of my blessed Redeemer way down in my heart.” And the kids loved it if we sang the verse that said if the devil didn’t like it he could sit on a tack. Not sure who first started that verse, but it did make the kids smile.
“Joy In My Heart,“ sometimes titled “I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy” was written by George William Cooke who was born in Yorkshire, England in 1884 and died in Jamestown, New York in 1951. He wrote the song which was copyrighted in 1925 (but not renewed) while he was living in Delaware. Cooke was a minister and ran a Methodist camp that held gospel meetings and revivals. As a young man, he twice circled the globe in evangelistic tours. You have to wonder how many people he taught his joyful song. Those people shared that joy with others down through the years until the song spread throughout our country and the world. What a great way to share the gospel!
I thought of the verse with the “peace that passeth understanding” today after a day when peace seemed distant. The Lord does promise us such peace in Philippians 4. I think Mr. Cooke must have read that chapter in the Bible as he came up with the words of his song.
First Philippians 4:4 says, Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, rejoice. There’s the joy down in our hearts.
Then we have Philippians 4:6-7. Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (KJV)
May that peace be in your heart in this new year of 2021.
Did you ever sing this song in Sunday school or Bible school?