When the sha­dows ’round you ga­ther,
When the day is long and drear,
In the morn­ing, or at mid­night,
Your best friend is al­ways near.

Refrain

Always near, al­ways near,
Your best friend is al­ways near;
In your glad­ness, in your sad­ness,
Your best friend is al­ways near.

When your cour­age al­most fails you,
When you need a word of cheer,
There is One who will not leave you:
Your best friend is al­ways near.

Refrain

When your fond­est hopes have per­ished,
When so free­ly falls the tear,
He who knows and feels your sor­row—
Your best friend—is al­ways near.

Refrain

When the val­ley of the shadow
You are tread­ing, do not fear;
One there is who will go with you:
Your best friend is al­ways near.

Refrain