Scripture Verse

I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. John 12:32

Introduction

Words: Mar­tha A. Cook, in The Gos­pel Hymn Book, by Da­ni­el B. Tow­ner (Day­ton, Ohio: Lo­renz Pub­lish­ing, 1903), num­ber 194.

Music: Ed­mund S. Lo­renz (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Cook (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
Edmund S. Lorenz
(1854–1942)

Lyrics

Lord, weak and im­po­tent I stand,
As fet­tered by an un­seen hand;
Break Thou the strong and sub­tle band,
And draw me close to Thee.

Refrain

Draw me close to Thee, Sav­ior,
Draw me close to Thee;
Beneath Thy wing do Thou me hide,
And draw me close to Thee.

In vain I strug­gle to be free;
I would, but can not, fly to Thee;
Ope Thou the pri­son door for me,
And draw me close to Thee.

Refrain

Oh, bring me near­er, near­er still,
That Thine own peace my soul may fill,
And I may rest in Thy sweet will;
Lord, draw me close to Thee.

Refrain

Here, Lord, I would for­ev­er bide,
And ne­ver wan­der from Thy side;
Beneath Thy wing do Thou me hide,
And draw me close to Thee.

Refrain