I…will draw all men to Myself.
John 12:32
Words: Lucy Larcom, At the Beautiful Gate and Other Songs of Faith (New York & Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin, 1892), pages 55–56.
Music: St. Edmund (Sullivan) Arthur S. Sullivan, in The Hymnary (London: 1872) (🔊 pdf nwc).
Draw Thou my soul, O Christ, closer to Thine!
Breathe into every wish Thy will divine!
Raised my low self above, won by Thy deathless love,
Ever, O Christ, through mine let Thy life shine.
Lead forth my soul, O Christ, one with Thine own,
Joyful to follow Thee through paths unknown!
In Thee my strength renew; give me Thy work to do!
Through me Thy truth be shown,
Thy love made known!
Not for myself alone may my prayer be—
Lift Thou Thy world, O Christ, closer to Thee;
Cleanse it from guilt and wrong;
Teach it salvation’s song!
Make it alive in Thee—perfect in Thee!
Nearer to Thee, O Christ, nearer to Thee!
Till we in Thy dear face God’s glory see!
Heav’nward our hopes ascend,
Savior and Lord and friend!
Oh, draw us all to Thee, nearer to Thee!