Closer, Lord, to Thee

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Closer Lord, to Thee I cling

Author: Edward G. Taylor
Tune: [Closer Lord to thee I cling]
Published in 15 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, Noteworthy Composer
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1 Closer, Lord, to Thee I cling,
Closer still to Thee;
Safe beneath Thy shelt’ring wing
I would ever be;
Rude the blast of doubt and sin,
Fierce assaults without, within,
Help me, Lord, the battle win—
Closer, Lord, to Thee.

2 Closer yet, O Lord, my Rock,
Refuge of my soul;
Dread I not the tempest-shock,
Tho’ the billows roll:
Wildest storm cannot alarm
For, to me can come no harm,
Leaning on Thy loving arm;—
Closer, Lord, to Thee.

3 Closer still, my Help, my Stay,
Closer, closer still;
Meekly there I learn to say,
“Father, not my will;”
Learn that in affliction’s hour,
When the clouds of sorrow lower,
Love directs Thy hand of pow’r;—
Closer, Lord, to Thee.

4 Closer, Lord, to Thee I come,
Light of life Divine;
Through the ever blessed Son,
Joy and peace are mine;
Let me in Thy love abide,
Keep me ever near Thy side,
In the “Rock of Ages” hide;—
Closer, Lord, to Thee.

Source: The Bright Array #23

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Author: Edward G. Taylor

Taylor, Edward G. (Fox Chase, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 25, 1830--April 10, 1887, Buffalo, New York). University of Lewisburgh, 1854; Rochester Theological Seminary, 1856. Pastorates at Terre Haute, Indiana, 1857-1860; Cincinnati, Ohio, 1860-1864; Chicago, Illinois, 1864-1870; New Orleans, Louisiana, 1870-1875; Providence, Rhode Island, 1875-1881; New York, 1881-1882; Newark, New Jersey, ?; Buffalo, N.Y., 1885-1887. Taylor was the author of a large number of hymns for use in Sunday schools. In the Service of Song for Social Meetings (1881) is one of his hymns that begins "Deal kindly with my master," with music by George W. Stebbins. Stebbins also composed music for Taylor's "Not saved are we by trying." For most of his hym… Go to person page >

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