Nearer, my God, to Thee

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!

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!
_________________________________
a 6-th verse was later added to the hymn by Ed­ward H. Bick­er­steth, Jr. as follows:

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.
Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!