just a closer walk with thee
Verse 1 I am weak but Thou art strong Jesus keep me from all wrong I ' ll be satisfied as long As I walk , let me walk , close to Thee
Chorus Just a closer walk with Thee Grant it Jesus , is my plea Daily walking close to Thee Let it be , dear Lord , let it be
Verse 2 Thro ' this world of toil and snares If I falter Lord who cares Who with me my burden shares None but Thee , dear Lord , none but Thee
Verse 3 When my feeble life is o ' er Time for me will be no more Guide me gently safely o ' er To Thy kingdom shore , to Thy shore
author unkown
Behind the Song by Diana Leagh Matthews www . dianaleaghmatthews . com
Just A Closer Walk with Thee was considered one of the favorite southern gospel hymns of the 20th Century . However , its origins remain a mystery .
The song gained national popularity in the 1930s , when African American churches sung it at musical conventions . By the 1940s , the hymn was featured at all night gospel singing rallies . The first known recording was made on October 8 , 1941 by the Selah Jubilee Singers .
The widely held belief is that song predates the Civil War . Some personal African American histories recall “ slaves singing as they worked in the fields a song about walking by the Lord ’ s side .”
In 1885 , “ Closer Walk with Thee “, which had a similar chorus , was published . Some music historians refer to this song as a folk song . The lyrics to “ Closer Walk with Thee ” was tributed to Martha J . Lankton and music by William Kirkpatrick . The song was passed down from generation to generation until it found a national audience in the 1930s .
In 1940 , Kenneth Morris arranged and published the well-known version for the first time . He heard a performance in Kansas City by gospel musicians , Robert Anderson and R . L . Knowles . Mr . Morris arranged the music and added some lyrics for the version we know today . Bernice Johnson Reagan states in her book , that Mr . Morris researched the song and determined it had not been published and had his version printed for the first time .
The hymn has been translated into numerous languages and recorded hundreds of times by numerous artists over the years . Elvis Presley set sales records in 1956 with the hymn .
The hymn is considered to be one of the most requested songs at funerals .
The title and lyrics of the song allude to the Biblical passage from 2 Corinthians 5:7 which states , “ We walk by faith , not by sight .
The song became popular during World War II . The words supply a message found in both the Old and New Testaments .
The song gives hope for the weak in the strength of Jesus , when asking him to walk closely through this trial . What gives you strength through trials ?
92