Nearer My God To Thee
Words: Verses 1-5, Sarah Fuller Flower Adams, in Hymns and Anthems, by William Johnson Fox, 1841; verse 6, Edward Henry Bickersteth, Jr. Music: “Bethany (Mason)," Lowell Mason, 1856

Note: The regimental bands that had been playing stirring songs to lift the spirits of General George Pickett's Division on July 3, 1863 at Gettysburg began playing this hymn as they saw the shattered remnants of the division making their way back across the wheat field towards their own lines. It is said that many of these men walked backwards as they retreated to their own lines, so that if they were shot, it wouldn't be in the back. They didn't want anyone finding their body to think that they had been running away from the fight.

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.

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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.

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There let the way appear, steps unto heav’n;
All that Thou sendest me, in mercy given;
Angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to Thee.

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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.

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Or, if on joyful wing cleaving the sky,
Sun, moon, and stars forgot, upward I’ll fly,
Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee.

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There in my Father’s home, safe and at rest,
There in my Savior’s love, perfectly blest;
Age after age to be, nearer my God to Thee.

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