Near the Cross

• Psalm 36:9
  (hymns)
• Isaiah 41:18
  (hymns)
• Isaiah 55:1
  (hymns)
• Zechariah 13:1
  (hymns)
• Matthew 10:8
  (hymns)
• Matthew 27:54-55
  (hymns)
• Mark 13:37
  (hymns)
• Mark 15:39-41
  (hymns)
• Luke 23:47-49
  (hymns)
• John 12:32
  (hymns)
• John 19:25-26
  (hymns)
• 1 Corinthians 1:17-18
  (hymns)
• Galatians 2:20
  (hymns)
• Galatians 6:14
  (hymns)
• Ephesians 1:6
  (hymns)
• Ephesians 2:13
  (hymns)
• Colossians 1:20
  (hymns)
• Colossians 1:29
  (hymns)
• Hebrews 12:2
  (hymns)
• Revelation 2:28
  (hymns)
• Revelation 22:1-5
  (hymns)
• Revelation 22:16
  (hymns)

• Year A, Epiphany Season, Fifth Sunday
  Related to 1 Corinthians 2 (National Association of Pastoral Musicians)
• Year A, Lent, Palm Sunday
  Related to Matthew 26-27 ((National Association of Pastoral Musicians)
• Year A, Holy Week season, Wednesday of Holy Week
• Year A, Holy Week season, Good Friday
  Related to John 18 (National Association of Pastoral Musicians)
• Year B, Epiphany season, Sixth Sunday
• Year B, Lent, Third Sunday
• Year C, Lent, Fourth Sunday
• Year C, Holy Week season, Wednesday of Holy Week

Text:

In 1869, Fanny Crosby was shown a tune by William Doane, for which she wrote this text. The text and tune were published together in Bright Jewels for the Sunday School in 1869. Crosby wrote four stanzas and a refrain, which most hymnals have kept. The fourth stanza (“Near the cross I'll watch and wait”) is occasionally omitted.

The first line of each stanza contains the phrase “near the cross,” emphasizing the value of Christ's redeeming work there. Each stanza has a slightly different aspect of the main theme. The first stanza describes redemption through Jesus' blood, and the second, the need of humanity for salvation. The third stanza is a prayer that the Christian would always remember God's love as shown on the cross, and the fourth looks forward to heaven.

Tune:

The tune for this hymn was actually written before the text, but it was named after the text, NEAR THE CROSS. William H. Doane, who often collaborated with Crosby, is the composer. He wrote the tune in 1869 and it was first published with the text in Bright Jewels.

The stanza and the refrain are in two phrases each, clearly marked by the ending long notes. This tune should be sung at a moderate tempo. If it is too fast, it sounds like a dance, which is not appropriate to the theme of the text, but an excessively slow tempo is depressing, while the text gives hope.

When/Why/How:

This hymn is best suited to Lent or Holy Week. This hymn is perfect for a contemporary or blended worship service, as it fits well with modern songs such as “The Power of the Cross,” as in the choral arrangements “Near the Cross,” or “Keep Me Near the Cross,” both of which can be accompanied by piano alone, or with optional instruments. It could also be used as instrumental music preceding Communion, such as in a handbell arrangement like “Near the Cross.”

Tiffany Shomsky,
Hymnary.org

FlexScores are available in the Media section below.