Nearer My God To Thee

Wallace Hartley was born in Colne, England. His father owned a Mill but a fire started and the Mill was lost. They moved closer to a methodist church where his father became choir director. He became very good at playing the viola and violin. He was playing solos at age 15. In 1909, he was hired by the Cunard Line to play on the LUSITANIA. Once, when asked by one of the passengers what he were to play if ever he was on a sinking ship, he said that he would play either Nearer My God To Thee or God Our help in ages past. A year later, became bandmaster on the Maurentania. He was later transferred to the OLYMPIC and then the TITANIC. A week before the sailing of the TITANIC, he proposed to his financier, Maria Robinson. In the sinking, he and the band played ragtime music to keep people calm. Later, they moved
out on deck. The last song heard from them was Nearer My God To Thee. Wallace Hartley's body was found two weeks later with his violin case strapped to his chest and a nickel watch, 16 shillings, and 16 pence in his pockets. His body was laid to rest in Colne.



Words to Nearer My God To Thee:

Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!
E'en though it be a cross that raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee.

Chorus

There let the way appear, steps unto Heav'n;
All that Thou sendest me, in mercy given;
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, upward I'll fly,
Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee.

Chorus

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, 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.