I’m angrier than a cat without his daily treat over this next one, because…well, I’m starting to run out of things to be angry about, and that makes me angry.
But in this post, I’d like to discuss one of my most favorite church hymns. I’ve alluded to this song before, but I’d like to talk today about the history behind the song. That’s one about myself that I’m grateful for: I love the history behind the story, whether it be the history behind my home or most any building in my city. And, of course, the history of songs, especially church hymns.
The hymn that I’d like to discuss is Nearer, My God To Thee, which I’ve discussed in a couple of other posts. I want it played at, if possible, my deathbed, and at my Funeral Mass. It is the most beautiful hymn to ever be written, at least in my opinion.
The song can trace its origins back to the story of Jacob, which we find in Genesis 28:11-12:
When he had reached a certain place, he stopped there for the night, since the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of that place, he made it his pillow and lay down where he was.
He had a dream: there was a ladder, planted on the ground with its top reaching to heaven; and God’s angels were going up and down on it.
The song itself was written by Sarah Flower Adams, a poet, hymnwriter and actress, in 1844. She wrote the song in England. As for the music, it was originally set to other tunes, but it wasn’t until 1856 when the lyrics were set to the tune that most of us know today. That tune is called “Bethany.”
The lyrics, even to this day, are profound and beautiful:
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Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!
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E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me;
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Still all my song shall be nearer, my God, to Thee,
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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,
- 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, 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, 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, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee.
- Later, a sixth verse was added to the hymn by Edward Henry Bickersteth Jr. as follows:
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There in my Father’s home, safe and at rest,
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There in my Savior’s love, perfectly blest;
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Age after age to be, nearer my God to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!
The hymn plays a role in history, even to this day. It was, according to many sources, the song that was playing by the band as the Titanic sank. Of course, there’s no way to independently verify that. It makes for a cute anecdote, but did it truly happen?
The hymn is a very personal and favorite song to me. It’s the song that was playing when I completely lost control of my emotions on a date. There are numerous versions of the song on the internet, most of them on YouTube. Here is a list of just a few renditions:
Andre Rieu. Organpipe 8. Here’s a techno version. From a scene in the movie Titanic. Another organ version. And the list goes on and on.
Yes, this is my favorite song. If I am in the hospital, doctors and nurses are legally barred from caring for me other than to give “comfort care.” If there’s enough time before I die, I want someone to whip out a phone and play this hymn for me as I hopefully fade away quickly.
Nearer, My God, To Thee, is without a doubt, one of the most recognized hymns even all these years later. May it always be so.