Thanksgiving Songs, Day 14: “Give Thanks With a Grateful Heart”

As I was growing up we sang this every Sunday underneath the stained glass windows at First Presbyterian Church of Centralia. I had no idea that it was written when I was a toddler by a man who was going blind, or that its origins were nearly lost when the song went global a few years before I first heard it.

It’s a simple, powerful song of thanks. I’m grateful for the good folks who sang it around me every Sunday, helping instill a thankful spirit into my formation.

Give Thanks With a Grateful Heart
By Henry Smith

Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son

Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son

And now, let the weak say, “I am strong”
Let the poor say, “I am rich”
Because of what the Lord has done for us

Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son

And now, let the weak say, “I am strong”
Let the poor say, “I am rich”
Because of what the Lord has done for us

And now, let the weak say, “I am strong”
Let the poor say, “I am rich”
Because of what the Lord has done for us
Give thanks, give thanks

Other songs of Thanksgiving:

• Day 13: “Hey It’s Good to Be Back Home Again”
• Day 12: “Thank you, Lord, for Your Blessings on Me”
• Day 11: Farewell Remo and “The Lord’s Prayer”
• Day 10: “This Is My Father’s World”
• Day 9: “Why Me, Lord?”
• Day 8: Thank you, veterans
• Day 7: “Thanksgiving Song”
• Day 6: “Count Your Blessings”
• Day 5: Adam Sander sings about turkey
• Day 4: “We Gather Together”
• Day 3: “What a Wonderful World”
• Day 2: “For the Beauty of the Earth”
• Day 1: “Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep)”