Nearer, my God, to Thee
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{title: Nearer, my God, to Thee}
{key: C}
{verse}
[C] Nearer, my God, to Thee,
[G] Nearer to thee!
[F] E'en though it be a cross
[C] That raiseth me;
[Am] Still all my song shall be,
[C] Nearer, my God, to Thee,
[G] Nearer, my God, to Thee,
[C] Nearer to Thee!
{verse}
[C] Though like a wanderer,
[G] The sun gone down,
[F] Darkness come over me,
[C] My rest a stone;
[Am] Yet in my dreams I'd be
[C] Nearer, my God, to Thee,
[G] Nearer, my God, to Thee,
[C] Nearer to Thee!
{verse}
[C] There let my way appear
[G] Steps unto heav'n;
[F] All that thou sendest me
[C] In mercy giv'n;
[Am] Angels to beckon me
[C] Nearer, my God, to Thee,
[G] Nearer, my God, to Thee,
[C] Nearer to Thee.
{verse}
[C] Then with my waking thoughts
[G] Bright with thy praise,
[F] Out of my stony griefs
[C] Bethels I'll raise;
[Am] So by my woes to be
[C] Nearer, my God, to Thee,
[G] Nearer, my God, to Thee,
[C] Nearer to Thee!
{verse}
[C] And when on joyful wing
[G] Cleaving the sky,
[F] Sun, moon, and stars forgot,
[C] Upwards I fly,
[Am] Still all my song shall be,
[C] Nearer, my God, to Thee,
[G] Nearer, my God, to Thee,
[C] Nearer to Thee.
```
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 a wanderer,
The sun gone down,
Darkness come 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 my way appear
Steps unto heav'n;
All that thou sendest me
In mercy giv'n;
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
Bethels I'll raise;
So by my woes to be
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee!
And when 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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About This Hymn
"Nearer, My God, to Thee" is a Christian hymn written by Sarah Flower Adams in 1841. The lyrics express a deep longing for closeness with God, especially during times of trial and suffering. Sarah Adams, a poet and hymnwriter, was inspired by the Bible, particularly by the story of Jacob’s dream in Genesis 28:11-19, where Jacob encounters God and dreams of a ladder ascending to heaven. The hymn’s gentle, meditative tone emphasizes seeking spiritual closeness to God, regardless of life’s challenges. The hymn is most famously linked to the tragic sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912. It is said that the ship's band played "Nearer, My God, to Thee" as the ship sank, which has further solidified the hymn’s association with moments of profound loss and faith. Despite its tragic association, the hymn continues to be a symbol of hope and faith in the face of adversity, resonating with many across the Christian faith.