Nearer, My God, to Thee
Hymn composed by
Lowell MasonContextual information
This text was written by English poet and Unitarian hymn writer Sarah Flower Adams in 1841. It retells the story, told in Genesis 28:11-12, of Jacob's dream.
Adams's sister, the composer Eliza Flower, set the verse to music.
This hymn appears as #87 in Singing the Living Tradition.
This text was written by English poet and Unitarian hymn writer Sarah Flower Adams in 1841. It retells the story, told in Genesis 28:11-12, of Jacob's dream.
Adams's sister, the composer Eliza Flower, set the verse to music.
This hymn appears as #87 in Singing the Living Tradition.
Tune Name
BETHANY
Tune Name
Text Meter
6.4.6.4.6.6.6.4.
10.9.10.9
Song Composer
Lowell MasonHymn Arranger
Composer Background information
Spiritual tags
Other tags
Lyricist Background information
Arranger Background information
Lyrics
Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me;
still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to thee,
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down,
darkness be over me, my rest a stone;
yet in my dreams I’d be nearer, my God, to thee,
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee.
There let the way appear steps unto heaven;
all that thou sendest me in mercy given;
angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to thee,
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee.
Then, with my waking thoughts bright with thy praise,
out of my stony griefs Bethel I’ll raise;
so by my woes to be nearer, my God, to thee,
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee.
Or if on joyful wing cleaving the sky,
sun, moon, and stars forgot, upwards I fly,
still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to thee,
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee.
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