Lord, I Want to Be a Christian
Traditional African American spiritual, origin 19th century. Public domain in all jurisdictions.
Verse 1
GLord I want to be a Chris-tian Cin my Gheart in my Dheart
GLord I want to be a Chris-tian Cin my Dheart
In my Gheart in my Dheart
GLord I want to be a Chris-tian Cin my Dheart
Verse 2
GLord I want to be more lov-ing Cin my Gheart in my Dheart
GLord I want to be more lov-ing Cin my Dheart
In my Gheart in my Dheart
GLord I want to be more lov-ing Cin my Dheart
Verse 3
GLord I want to be more ho-ly Cin my Gheart in my Dheart
GLord I want to be more ho-ly Cin my Dheart
In my Gheart in my Dheart
GLord I want to be more ho-ly Cin my Dheart
Verse 4
GLord I want to be like Je-sus Cin my Gheart in my Dheart
GLord I want to be like Je-sus Cin my Dheart
In my Gheart in my Dheart
GLord I want to be like Je-sus Cin my Dheart
Structure
Playing Tips
🎸 Strum Pattern
G-C-G-D at 76 BPM in 4/4 with a short, repeating phrase — the simplest chord pattern in this entire hymn collection. A down-down-up strum works naturally. The "in my heart in my heart" refrain loops back into the phrase quickly so keep your strum hand relaxed and continuous rather than stopping at the phrase end. The power of this spiritual is not in the chord complexity — it is entirely in the sincerity of the singing. Do not try to make the arrangement interesting. Keep it simple and let the text do the work.
🔊 Dynamics
This is a personal prayer of surrender and it should feel intimate, not performed. Start with solo voice alone — no instruments, just the congregation singing a cappella if possible. The effect of hearing a room full of people pray "Lord I want to be a Christian in my heart" together without any band underneath is extraordinary. Add one instrument on verse 2. Full band very softly on verse 3. On verse 4 ("Lord I want to be like Jesus") consider stripping back down to solo voice again. That simplification at the close is often more moving than any instrumental ending we have tried.
🎵 Band Direction
Acoustic guitar alone on verse 1. Piano joins very softly on verse 2. Bass on verse 3 if the congregation is fully engaged. Drums only if the congregation is singing so strongly that the band would add rather than overwhelm. This is a hymn where the worship team's job is to disappear so the congregation can own the song. Any instrument that draws attention to itself on this hymn is the wrong choice. We have led this hymn at Light Church completely a cappella for all four verses and it became one of the most powerful moments in our worship history.
🎤 Vocal
"Lord I want to be a Christian in my heart" is one of the most direct prayers in the hymnody tradition — no metaphor, no formal theology, just a person telling God what they want in the most honest language possible. Teach your congregation to mean what they are singing rather than performing it. We have used this hymn in altar call settings by simply repeating verse 1 slowly and quietly until the Spirit settled on the room. When the congregation is truly praying rather than singing, you feel the difference. Do not announce that moment — just hold the space for it.
→ Transitions
Perfect for a quiet altar call or a moment of personal consecration after preaching. Pairs naturally with "I Am Thine O Lord" or "Take My Life and Let It Be" in a surrender set. Works powerfully at baptism services where the prayer of the person being baptized becomes the prayer of the whole congregation. Can be sung completely a cappella for maximum effect. After a Word that calls people to commitment, this hymn gives the congregation language for the response they are already feeling — simple, honest, from the heart.