The tune to this hymn was written by Lowell Mason in 1856.
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 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
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,
upward I fly,
still all my song shall be,
nearer, my God, to Thee;
nearer, my God, to Thee,
nearer to Thee!