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Nearer My God To Thee.
The hymn; Nearer my God to Thee, is often associated the sinking of the Titanic. Yet this beautiful piece of music, Written by Sarah F. Adams, may be played to the tune "Horbury", (as used in the movie "a Night To Remember", composed by
J.B. Dykes.), "Bethany" (composed by Lowell Mason) or "Propior Deo",
(composed by Sir Arthur Sullivan). Nearer My God To Thee is based on
the story of Jacobs dream in Genesis 28, 11-19. The bandleader of the Titanic, Wallace Hartley, was particlularly fond of this piece and said that he would have liked to have had it played one day at his funeral. The big question remains, various tunes are used on different sides of the Atlantic, and British and Americans attested to hearing "Nearer", what was that last piece of music played? We will never know.
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-
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,
Nearer to Thee!
There let the way appear,
Steps unto heaven:
All that though sendest to me
In mercy given,
Angels to beckon me
Nearer, my God to Thee,
Nearer to Thee!
Then, with my waking thoughts
Bright with thy praise,
Out of my stony griefs
Beth-el I'll raise:
So by my woes to be
Nearer, my God to Thee,
Nearer to Thee!
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Read more about Wallace Hartley
More information on the songs that were in the White Star Line Songbook aboard the Titanic, played by the orchestra, and band can be found at The White Star Line Songbook.
Midi's of the various tunes are from the above website.
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