JESUS, I fain would be
Nearer to Thee,
O keep thy wandering one,
Nearer to Thee;
Thou, who for me hast died,
For me wast crucified,
Whom shall I love beside,
Jesus, but Thee.
Oh, let me all forsake,
Whate’er it be,
And only wish to walk
Nearer to Thee;
Naught can this world afford,
Though with earth’s treasures stored,
Worthy to be compared,
Jesus, to Thee.
But once I loved its joys,
Nor could I see
The value of that blood
Poured out for me;
Till He, my glorious Head,
Showed me my debt was paid,
While, with a smile, He said,
“Thou, thou art free.”
Dear Saviour, let Thy power
Be felt by me;
O draw me every hour
Nearer to Thee;
Surely I must be blest
While leaning on Thy breast,
There only would I rest,
Embraced by Thee.
Lord, this is my desire,
Ever to be,
Throughout my path on earth,
Kept near to Thee;
Then what have I to fear,
Though dark my prospect here,
Still would I breathe the prayer,
Nearer to Thee.
Soon in that happy land
Prepared for me,
My joyful feet shall stand,
Brought there by Thee;
Then will I sing Thy love
In nobler strains above,
O then I ne’er shall rove,
Saviour, from Thee.