From the recording Shallow Water
Just As I Am melody: Woodworth, William Batchelder Bradbury (1816-1868)
Why Me Lord (Kris Kristofferson) (©1973)
Just As I Am is another hymn I remember from my childhood. Charlotte Elliott’s words were set to three different pieces of music, and my instrumental here follows the melody written by William Batchelder Bradbury (who also wrote the melody to Jesus Loves Me). I’m not a great guitar player, but I’ve written or adapted a handful of instrumentals, this being the only one I’ve recorded.
Playing the verses to Just As I Am I found myself slipping into the chorus of Why Me Lord, and it became part of the arrangement. Feels like they fit together in spirit somehow.