Closer to Thee

Lyrics: Austin Taylor
Music: Austin Taylor

Closer to Thee, near to Thy side,
Closer, dear Lord, I would abide;
Hold me in Thy embrace,
'Neath ev'ry smile of grace,
Grant me, Thy child, a place
Closer to Thee.

Closer to Thee, near to Thy breast,
Closer to Thee; Lord, let me rest;
Guide me when I would stray,
Keep me from sin each day,
Draw me, dear Lord, I pray,
Closer to Thee.

Closer to Thee, happy and free,
Grant me, O Lord, ever to be;
Hear me in ev'ry cry,
Stand near when I must die,
Then take me home on high,
Closer to Thee.

Be with Me, Lord

Lyrics: T.O. Chisholm
Music: L.O. Sanderson

Be with me, Lord -- I cannot live without Thee,
I dare not try to take one step alone,
I cannot bear the loads of life, unaided,
I need THy strength to lean myself upon.

Be with me, Lord, and then if dangers threaten,
If storms of trial burst above my head,
If lashing seas leap ev'rywhere about me,
They cannot harm, or make my heart afraid.

Be with me, Lord! No other gift or blessing
Thou couldst bestow could with this one compare --
A constant sense of Thy abiding presence,
Where'er I am, to feel that Thou art near.

Be with me, Lord, when loneliness o'ertakes me,
When I must weep amid the fires of pain,
And when shall come the hour of "my departure"
For "worlds unknown," O Lord, be with me then.