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Nearer, My God, to Thee

Available for:

  • SATB

  • SSA

  • TTBB

See the More Details section below for more information about the music and to see the text.

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Voicings

Performance of the SATB version

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SATB

  • $10

(SATB-12) Nearer My God to Thee

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  • $20

(SATB-U) Nearer My God to Thee

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SSA

  • $10

(SSA-12) Nearer My God to Thee

SSA and Piano Print up to 12 copies
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  • $20

(SSA-U) Nearer, My God, to Thee

SSA and Piano Print unlimited copies!
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TTBB

  • $10

(TTBB-12) Nearer My God to Thee

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  • $20

(TTBB-U) Nearer My God to Thee

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More Details

  • SATB, SSA, or TTBB and Piano
  • Music by Lowell Mason
  • Words by Sarah F. Adams
  • Arranged by Lane Johnson
  • Level: Easy/Intermediate
  • Duration: ~3:50
Nearer, My God, to Thee is a popular 19th-century Christian hymn, with words by the English poet, Sarah Flower Adams, and music by Lowell Mason. The text retells the story of Jacob's dream found in Genesis 28:11–12 and contains the powerful message that, if we will allow it, our "stony griefs” can bring us nearer to God.

I originally did an arrangement of this hymn on short notice for the funeral of a dear friend's father. I've always wanted to revisit and expand that arrangement. This is the newly expanded and improved version! 

This arrangement is designed to be simple and beautiful; very accessible and satisfying to the choir, accompanist and listener.

Text

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, 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!

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