Nearer, My God, to Thee / André Rieu (live in Amsterdam, 2013)

André Rieu, over 500 brass players & the Johann Strauss Orchestra performing "Nearer, my God, to Thee" live in Amsterdam * * * * * * * "Nearer, My God, to Thee" is a 19th-century Christian hymn by Sarah Flower Adams, based loosely on Genesis 28:11--19, the story of Jacob's dream. The original lyrics to the hymn are as follows: * * * * * * * E'en though it be a cross that raiseth me; Still all my song shall be nearer, my God, to Thee, Chorus: Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee! Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down, Darkness be over me, my rest a stone; Yet in my dreams I'd be nearer, my God, to Thee, Chorus There let the way appear steps unto heav'n; All that Thou sendest me in mercy giv'n; Angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to Thee, Chorus Then with my waking thoughts bright with Thy praise, Out of my stony griefs Bethel I'll raise; So by my woes to be nearer, my God, to Thee, Chorus Or if on joyful wing, cleaving the sky, Sun, moon, and stars forgot, upwards I fly, Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee, * * * * * * * A sixth verse was later added to the hymn by Ed­ward H. Bick­er­steth, Jr. as follows: There in my Father's home, safe and at rest, There in my Savior's love, perfectly blest; Age after age to be, nearer my God to Thee. Chorus * * * * * * * "Nearer, My God, to Thee" is also associated with the sinking of the RMS Titanic, as some survivors later reported that the ship's string ensemble played the hymn as the vessel sank