Oops, I meant to post this hymn a couple of days ago on the birthdate of its composer, Lowell Mason, January 8, 1792, the man known as "the father of American church music" and also "Father of American music education".
The words were written by Englishwoman Sarah Flower Adams (1805–1848), based on the account of Jacob's dream at Bethel in Genesis 8:10-22 and set to Mason's musical score entitled "Bethany".
During a restless sleep during his flight from trouble at home, in his dream Jacob saw the angels ascending and descending on a stairway reaching into the heavens, bringing him to the realization that there is nowhere that he could go to escape the presence of God.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4TPqfoYHrF8/TS6caANB_aI/AAAAAAAAAbI/liGbLxK49iM/s1600/ACU.jpg
This hymn, set to various tunes, has brought comfort to millions in many countries and was reportedly the hymn played by the band as the Titanic slid under the cold waters...
This is what draws people of the Christian faith closer to their God - the knowledge that whatever transpires in life, it is but an instrument of refinement and an avenue by which they can come to know and trust their God more deeply...
Lowell Mason - Nearer my God to Thee
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwLl5nY5WPI
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,
Chorus: 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,
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,
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,
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,
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.
May all of your steps bring you a little nearer to Him today!
EDIT: My apologies - I did not remember until later today that I had already posted this song in the Christian History thread.