Sarah Flower Adams (1805–1848)

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 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 to Thee!

There let the way appear,

Steps unto heaven;

All that thou send’st to me,

In mercy given;

Angels to beckon me,

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 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 to Thee!