The song Nearer My God, to Thee is a classic. Often claimed to be the last song played by the band on the deck of the Titanic as it sank, it clings to the idea that we come closer to God through death, particularly if we’ve suffered a tragic one. Many a time, just as I’ve arrived to do a funeral or memorial service, asked specifically not to include anything “religious”, a piece of paper has been pressed into my hand with words that claim those who die young are favoured by God, that God only takes the most beautiful, or that God needed help in heaven so has taken the child or loved one to be an angel. I read it because I’ve been asked to, but I am always saddened by the idea that we should find solace through belief in what, if we really thought about it, could only be a jealous and cruel deity.
So I have never been much attached to the lyrics to Nearer, My God, to Thee. Even when I used the word “god”, it would never have been in this manner. But there are things that I wish we could draw closer to, that we are always seeking, and so, as I wrote these lyrics, I had a vision of those things in mind.
Here is a version of Nearer, My God, to Thee from the movie, Titanic. It is a little slow, but enjoy.
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p style=”text-align: center;”>For Our Humanity
Tune: Beulah
Traditional Hymn: Nearer, My God, to Thee
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p style=”text-align: center;”>Though truth remain concealed, still, it we seek
sure that its benefits outweigh deceit.
Might every mind be freed, all rise with dignity.
For our humanity, still, truth we seek.
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p style=”text-align: center;”>Though courage often flags, still, it we seek
sure that ours beating hearts must not retreat.
Might we each challenge greet, strong standing with the meek.
For our humanity, courage we seek.
<
p style=”text-align: center;”>Though peace seems far away, still it we seek
sure that our warring cries, we must defeat.
Might we sing songs of peace, a brilliant future see.
For our humanity, still, peace we seek.
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p style=”text-align: center;”>Though justice fall behind, still, it we seek
sure that its lengthy arc, bends t’ward the weak.
Might we make real the dream: one just society.
For our humanity, justice we seek.
© 2015 gretta vosper
I am always shocked that people copywrite religious music.
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.
In religion (and life) one must learn how to me lifted by poetic language.
Sorry to have shocked you. The songs that I write are my intellectual property, just like the house you build is your real property or the painting you completed your own work of art. I share my work publicly, as you can clearly see, and invite people to use it in whatever way they like, only inviting them to credit me for it. I do not wish that my work be altered without my permission for the same reasons I am sure you would not want someone to decide to add a dab of blue where you had carefully placed green in a painting you had laboured over. When I rework a piece that is in the public domain, I do not copyright it.
Thank you for the opportunity to clarify this.
Please feel free to use the piece; if you would like to alter it, I ask that you request my permission.