Nearer My God to Thee

from Memories From Gettysburg by Jeff Greenawalt

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about

Sarah Flower Adams wrote the lyrics to this hymn in 1842. The most popular version of the hymn in the United States uses the tune from another hymn called Bethany written by Lowell Mason in 1856. The hymn became very popular by the time of the Civil War. It's association with the Battle of Gettysburg comes from the afternoon of July 3, 1863. On that afternoon, the bloody climax at Gettysburg took place when about 12,500 Confederates tried to break the center of the US Army's lines. The attack, now known as Pickett's Charge, failed. As the Confederates headed back across the horrible killing field, the survivors heard a regimental band playing this hymn.

lyrics

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,

Chorus:
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,

Chorus

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,

Chorus

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,

Chorus

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,

Chorus

credits

from Memories From Gettysburg, released June 17, 2022
This recording was made using some orchestral samples recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra.

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Jeff Greenawalt image

Jeff Greenawalt Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Three of my great passions are acting, music, and history. Being retired from a real job gives me the time to pursue them full-time. I managed to combine all three through performing living history and period music. My under-graduate degree is in theater arts. While pursuing a career in health care administration, I managed to also study guitar and voice. I hope you enjoy the result! ... more

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