The Last Prayer, “Nearer My God to Thee”

Life’s opening voyage, Lord, thou didst safely keep,
O’er childhood’s sheltered bays,
As now the shadows round me creep,
Draw me nearer, my God to Thee.

Thou didst defend my youth,
When speeding bark out toward the open sea,
As I approach the shore unknown and dark,
Draw me nearer to Thee.

Becalmed by idle winds on placid seas,
Thy vigil did not cease,
Now tempests beat,
And when I shrink from these,
I prayed dear Lord,
Nearer my God to Thee.

When daylight winged,
Poised lightly on the brow,
Thou gently didst restrain,
Though sorrow often voyages with me,
Now my troubled soul sustain,
Thou didst draw near to me.

When my ships are nigh and skies were bright,
I know thy presence sweet,
As one by one they vanish from my sight,
Draw me nearer I entreat.

Lord, thou hast been companion, friend and guide,
It is thy way,
Thy will be done in me,
When death, the gentle pilot,
Stands beside,
Nearer, nearer, my God, and mark the path with me.