Nearer, nearer, heavenly Saviour,
Draw my cold, unwilling soul —
Closer, ever closer, hold me,
Till Thy touch have made me whole:
Oh, to think that I may be,
Blessed Jesus, one with Thee!
When the world my love allureth,
When I say to Thee "Depart,"
Heed me not, but let Thy sunshine
Melt my hard ungrateful heart:
Till, like birds beneath the wing,
Unto Thee I turn and cling.
If the flesh, O Lord, should tempt me,
Show Thy wounds in foot and hand;
With the look that softened Peter,
Lord, before my spirit stand,
Till all dark deeds I forsake,
Loathing each for Thy dear sake.
When the devil strives to win me,
Hide me, hide me, Saviour blest —
Draw me, in a closer union,
Closer to Thy heavenly breast:
For no evil thing shall e'er
Reach the soul that's anchored there.