Country music maven Faith Hill had the honor of giving the opening performance during Aretha Franklin’s funeral on Friday afternoon in Detroit, Michigan. Franklin passed away on August 16th at 76-years-old after battling pancreatic cancer. The Mississippi native sang “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” during the service which also featured performances by Stevie Wonder, Ariana Grande, Jennifer Hudson, the Clark Sisters, the Williams Brothers, and Vanessa Bell Armstrong.
Watch Faith Hill’s powerful performance below.
Faith Hill has always been a great admirer of the the undisputed ‘Queen of Soul’ and names Aretha as one of her musical influences. On the day news broke of the star’s death, the country singer shared the following on Instagram: “GLORY, GLORY, GLORY to the ALMIGHTY!!! The choir of angels now have the greatest voice of all time to lead, praise and join in to sing before Jesus. I wanted to share this photo because it shows just how soulful Aretha was without uttering a word. To say I was humbled to be in her presence would be an understatement.”
The country songbird also suggested that her fans listen to the these three Aretha Franklin albums— 1972’s Amazing Grace, 1987’s One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, and 1971’s Aretha Live at Fillmore West.
Enjoy Aretha Franklin’s “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” below!
“What a Friend We Have in Jesus” Lyrics
What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh what peace we often forfeit
Oh what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged
Take it to the Lord in prayer
Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness
Take it to the Lord in prayer
Are we weak and heavy laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge
Take it to the Lord in prayer
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he’ll take and shield thee
Thou wilt find a solace there
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