1. Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee! E'en tho' 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! 2. 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! 3. Then with my waking tho'ts 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!
Lyrics: Sarah Fuller Flower Adams
Music:
Lowell Mason
Tune: BETHANY
Meter: 6.4.6.4.6.6.6.4.
Sarah F. Adams, 1805–1848
This well-loved hymn was written by a talented and charming English woman who lived only 43 years. In spite of her delicate health, Sarah Flower Adams had an active and productive life. After a successful career on the London stage as Shakespeare’s Lady MacBeth, she began to write and became widely known for her literary accomplishments. The cross mentioned in the first stanza of her hymn text may have been the physical handicaps that limited her many ambitions.
Sarah’s sister, Eliza, was gifted musically and often composed melodies for her sister’s poems. Together they contributed thirteen texts and sixty-two new tunes for a hymnal that was being compiled by their pastor. One day the Rev. William J. Fox asked for a new hymn to accompany his sermon on the story of Jacob and Esau. Sarah spent much time studying Genesis 28:10–22 and within a short time she completed all of the stanzas of “Nearer, My God, to Thee.” This hymn was first published in 1841.