Sarah Flower Adams (
1805-
1848)
A popular
Protestant hymn on both sides of the
Atlantic, written in
1841. In
America , it was usually set to the
melody "
Bethany" by
Lowell Mason. In
Britain Episcopals set it to "
Horbury" by
John B. Dykes, while
Methodists preferred "
Propior Deo" ("Nearer to God") by Sir
Arthur Sullivan of
Gilbert and Sullivan fame.
Legend has it that this was the last song played by the band on the
Titanic, though many witnesses recall the song "
Autumn" instead.
Wallace Hartley, the ship’s bandleader, was fond of the tune and wanted it played at his funeral, so it seems appropriate. The opening words are enscribed on his
tombstone.
E'en though it be a cross
That raiseth me;
Still all my song would be,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee!
Though like the wanderer,
The sun gone down,
Darkness be over me,
My rest alone.
Yet in my dreams I'd be
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 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!