1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
Source: The Cyber Hymnal #907
Austin Taylor (October 14, 1881 – January 1, 1973) Austin Taylor was born October 14, 1881 in Morgantown, Kentucky. He served Churches of Christ, one of three branches of the Stone-Campbell Movement for all of his long life as a song writer, song leader, minister, preacher, teacher, and singing school leader. The school he helped to found, the Texas Normal Singing School, still holds its camp every Summer.
The Taylors moved to Sherman, TX in 1890. There Austin began his music career as a singing school teacher and song writer. Two of his outstanding teachers were Horatio Richmond Palmer (1834-1907) of New York, who wrote songs such as “Master the Tempest is Raging,” “Angry Words,” and “O Lord, Our Lord,” and Dr. Horace Neel… Go to person page >
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