Piano Demo
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Hymnal Number
699Resource Type:
Keys included:
F
About this Hymn
This nineteenth-century hymn, inspired by Jacob's dream in Genesis 28, is known as the last song the octet orchestra on RMS Titanic played before the ship sank and as the song sung by the crew and passengers of the SS Valencia as it sank off the Canadian coast in 1906. From state funerals to television, movies and artists such as Doris Day, the hymn's fascination points to a deeper fear and need for peace at the heart of all humanity.
Lyrics
Verse 1
Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee! E'en though it be a cross that raiseth me; still all my song shall be,
Chorus
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee.
Verse 2
Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down, darkness be over me, my rest a stone; yet in my prayers I'll be
Verse 3
There let the way appear, steps unto heav'n; all that thou sendest me in mercy giv'n; angels to beckon me
Verse 4
Then, with my waking thoughts bright with thy praise, out of my stony griefs, Bethel I'll raise; so by my woes to be
Verse 5
Or if on joyful wing, breaking the sky, sun, moon, and stars forgot, upward I fly, still all my song shall be,
Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee! E'en though it be a cross that raiseth me; still all my song shall be,
Chorus
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee.
Verse 2
Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down, darkness be over me, my rest a stone; yet in my prayers I'll be
Verse 3
There let the way appear, steps unto heav'n; all that thou sendest me in mercy giv'n; angels to beckon me
Verse 4
Then, with my waking thoughts bright with thy praise, out of my stony griefs, Bethel I'll raise; so by my woes to be
Verse 5
Or if on joyful wing, breaking the sky, sun, moon, and stars forgot, upward I fly, still all my song shall be,
Copyrighted lyrics may be used in corporate worship in accordance with a valid CCLI license. Lyrics should be displayed unaltered and include author and copyright information. All other uses require permission from the copyright holder.
Attribution & Copyright
Words: Sarah Flower Adams, 1841
Music: Lowell Mason, 1856
Music: Lowell Mason, 1856