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?
Comments 26
We sang it in Sunday School and Bible School both.
I still sing it around the house.
Your post reminded me also of the song that goes “Rejoice, rejoice and again I say rejoice.. Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice.” We used to sing it as a round in a church we attended years ago. I find myself singing it around the house pretty often too.
Author
That is a good song, Lee, and singing songs in a round is always fun. You must have been going to a church that loved singing. Rejoice in the Lord! Again and again.
We sang that song in VBS and Sunday School. Hadn’t heard it in a long while. Thanks for reminding me of it.
Author
Glad you are singing, at least in your head, about that joy down in your heart, Ola. Always good to hear from you here.
Back in the early 90’s, I was working in a church daycare taking care of infants through 24 months. We enjoyed listening to music throughout every day and one of the ones I believe we all especially enjoyed was I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy! We even had a videocalled “Psalty’s Praise Party and this song was on this video. I loved the smiles and the joy of the children in my care!
Author
What a sweet memory, Lauren. Thank you for sharing it with us. I can see those little ones enjoying the joy in that song and others that were surely just as much fun for them.
Yes, sang that song many times. It is a happy song. I think I just finally really understood ‘peace that passeth understanding’ a few years ago.
Author
I’m guessing that to fully understand that verse about peace one has to work through some difficult valleys, Shirley. God bless you on your journey.
There is a song that For King And Country sing and it mentions Joy In The Heart. I remember singing “I have the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart” in VBS.
Author
I don’t think I’m familiar with that song, Linda, but it sounds like a good one. We need that joy down in our hearts.
Yes, we always sang this song in our Vacation Bible School and Sunday School. I pray that we can learn a new song of joy like this during these trying times. It’s such a happy memory to think of this song!
Author
We do need some joy in our lives, Carolyn, and some peace and understanding too as we attempt to get along with those who might have differing opinions from our own. It’s a time to pull together during this pandemic.
Yes! Love this song! I still sing it today. Also, our 3 years old grandson and I have created our own fun song. Simple words and sung with lots of gusto. “Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy! Happy, Happy, Joy!!” We love to sing together. I can’t carry a tune, but Rowan doesn’t mind. hahahahah! We’re singing with the joy of the Lord in our souls.
Author
I love that you and your grandson are making up songs to sing together, Melissa. My grandkids are all growing up and I don’t have any little ones anymore. But I enjoyed being with them when they were toddlers.
Your song makes me think of another song we sang a lot at Bible School. “If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.” Then stomp your feet. Then shout amen. Always a fun song.
Oh, my, yes! “ the wonderful love of my blessed Redeemer way down in the depths of my heart” & “if the devil doesn’t like it he can sit on a tack.”🎶also. Still sing with my grands.
Author
Singing is such fun, Lisa. Now that you say it, I think that was the way our pastor had it too. I left out the depths part. I knew I wasn’t getting it exactly right. Sad that we haven’t had VBS for a few years at our church, so I’ve missed out on singing these verses with kids for a while. I should be like you and get my grands to sing it with me. 🙂
Yes I sang it in VBS as a child and once in awhile it still runs through my head! Even though I had forgotten most of the words I’ll never forget clapping along as we sang I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart! Being kids we liked to yell the “where” part nice and loud! Thanks for this feel good reminder! ❤️
Author
The kids in our Bible school always liked shouting that “where” too. Joyful shouting is always good, Diana. Glad this brought up good memories for you.
As many times as I have sung that song I have heard all of the verses but never the chorus. We don’t hear those old faithful songs much where I attend church. Always teaching the children contemporary ones that aren’t nearly as catchy or fun. Thank you for the reminders of God’s peace.
I feel so sorry for our children and grandchildren to be faced with so much turmoil. Almost through with Christmas at Harmony Hill. Another 5 star read! Thank you. Happy, Blessed, Safe and Better New Year!
🥳🎉🥳
Author
We would sometimes skip the chorus after we sang it once until we got to whatever verse we sang last. But I liked singing it. It made my feel as happy as the words, Karen. There are so many great songs. Not that the contemporary ones aren’t good too, but I think we need to remember some of the old ones too.
I’m so glad you are liking my Shaker Christmas story. I hope you’ll leave a review online if you can. Reviews are always appreciated.
Ann, I was singing that song yesterday and the day before. Yes, we sang I’ve Got the Joy in VBS, Sunday School, youth group, and at home. I’m sure we even sang it on the church bus. We also sang the verse about the wonderful love of my blessed redeemer down deep in the depths of my heart and also the verse about the devil sitting on a tack.
Thank you for sharing the history of this song. We do need the peace and rejoicing in our hearts, in our lives. It does help to sing joyful songs. Grateful for the reminder.
Author
Then my post was very timely for you, Becky, since you’ve been singing about that joy. Singing on a bus with a group of kids has to be the best. When I was expecting my third child, in the early months of pregnancy I was very tired and sleepy. We had VBS during that time and I took my two older kids and my nieces and nephew to Bible School. We sang all the way there and back so I could stay awake while I was driving. I’m sure we sang “I’ve Got the Joy.”
I’ve sang this song numerous times and still do. Thank you for sharing. Blessings
Author
We should just all sing it together, Lucy. When I was a little girl, my mother often sang hymns as she worked in the kitchen. I used to do that some but not lately. I don’t know why. This or that song does run through my head a lot and now it will probably be Joy, joy, joy down in my heart. 🙂
I have sung that song many many many times!! Such a joyful song that does bring back such sweet & very special memories!! It does make me smile & I will sing it tonight as we turn in for the night!! The verses you shared from Philippians as such special verses!! Memorizing them has helped me to have them ready to call to mind during anxious times like today!! Thank you for your timely email!!
Author
It is one of those songs that just puts a little joy in your heart the way it says, Betsy. And how great to have heart verses that you’ve memorized. I do think because many of us use different translations of the Bible it makes it harder to memorize verses since we see them in several different ways. The ones I have memorized are all from the King James version, but I do like the New King James where the verses are mostly like the ones I learned as a child. Maybe I’ll write a post about memorizing verses sometime.