"If I Could Just Touch the Hem of His Garment"

This song was written by Rev. Glen A. Rice in the early 1950's.  He and his wife first sung it in a tent meeting in Pascagoula, Mississippi in 1954.  Rev. Roy Smith from Kellyville, Oklahoma and Sis Florence Smith conducted this meeting.  They traveled all over the south, holding this meetings and were close personal friends to Bro and Sis Rice.

Thanks to a guest comment below, I learned that a group named Sego Brothers and Naomi recorded and sung this song back in the 1960's.    This group was formed in 1958 and they were from Macon, GA.  They appeared on local TV where they became locally popular.  By 1964 they became known nationally and are believed to be the first southern gospel group to sell over a million records from their hit, "Sorry, I Never Knew You,"

 In the early 1980’s the Spencer Family was looking to record it and contacted Rev. Rice.  They gave him the copyright, recorded it on their 1984 album called “Moving Out.” They also had the song printed in one of their songbooks.  The copy in the songbook is a tiny bit different than the original.  Rev. Glen and his wife Ruby (also a minister) sung this song as a duet almost everywhere they went to preach. It has been sung at many camp meetings, brush arbor meetings, revivals, and churches as far reaching as imaginable.  I am 39 and can remember hearing this song as a child myself, but I never knew who wrote it or it’s story which I believe to be just as important.



According to an article written in the Holinessministries, “A Tribute to Bro. Glen Rice” written by Bro. Aaron Brock, “Bro. Rice wrote at least 24 songs in his lifetime.”

Rev. Glen Rice was born on April 16, 1908, he was a pentecostal holiness preacher originally  from the Bristow, Ok area.  He married Ruby in April 16, 1936 and in this same year founded the Holiness Church in Stroud, OK.   Also, pastoring 10 years in Thayer Mo., but returned to Stroud, OK.   Most of his ministry was spent in Stroud, OK where he pastored until he was 88 years old.  He spent the last two years of his life in the nursing home that he and his wife had conducted services in three times a week for years and years.  Rev. Glen Rice passed from this life on November 9, 2004, but he has left everyone a little sermon wrapped up in this favorite song that is still being heard in churches as far reached as any new poplar song to come.

Special thanks to Jean Slease who has helped me gather correct information about Rev. Glen Rice.
 

Words to the Original Version sung by Bro and Sis Rice.

A woman one day tried many physcians

But rather grew worse in the Bible we're told

One day when she had heard, she came to Jesus

And found what she needed for body and soul

Chorus:

If I could just touch the hem of His garment

If I could just touch some part of His clothes

I know I'd be healed, my sins are forgiven

If I could just touch Him, I know I'd be whole

Blind Bartimus sat by the wayside begging

Nobody to help him down life's weary way

When Jesus came by, He heard His sad crying

He touched his blind eyes and healed Him that day

Nicodemus came to Jesus by night,

His eyes were blinded to the things that were right.

He could not understand how a man when he's old

Could be born of God's Spirit, have life for his soul.

Spencer Family titled it Hem of His Garment in 80's and sung it a little different and added this verse.

One day I sat by the wayside begging

Nobody to help me down life's weary way

Then Jesus came by and He heard my sad crying

He reached down His hand and He saved me that day

The Sego Brothers and Naomi singing "Hem of His Garment" 1960's

 

The Spencers singing "Hem of His Garment"

featuring their mother Barbara Spencer

This song is also known as

"If I Could Just Touch the Hem of His Garment"

 

 

Other Songs by Rev. Rice:

 

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