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04 Feb 03 - 07:38 PM (#882704) Subject: Lyr Add: & Origin - Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross From: katlaughing Came across this on microfilm in a newspaper from 1937 and thought some of you might like it. Lyrics follow: One night, in an old-fashioned Methodist evangelistic meeting, worshipers were singing Isaac Watts' popular hymn, "At the Cross." When the singers reached the final verse and the phrase "Here, Lord, I give myself away..." a blind girl acting on the words she sang, offered herself to Christ. There is the story of Fanny Crosby's conversion and who in that revival crowd could know ho great a soul was being born into the kingdom that night? How many guessed that this young woman of 31 was destined to find her life ministry in the writing of evangelistic songs -- songs that would lead thousands of other non-Christians to a loving and saving Christ? It was not until 10 years later that Fanny Crosby began to write religious verses. But her hymns came easily and rapidly and it was not long until she was being hailed as the most popular writer of Sunday school hymns in America. Her name always calls to mind a host of songs precious to all Christians. "Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross" is generally regarded as one of the best and most enduring of the thousands of hymns she left for posterity. In its second stanza, she sang of her own conversion: "Near the Cross, a trembling soul, Love and mercy found me; there the bright and morning Star Shed its beams around me." Fanny Crosby has been called America's greatest woman hymnist (sic). In England, Frances Ridley Havergal holds similar honors. The two women lived and wrote about the same time and, though they never met, Miss Havergal always admired the American singer and on one occasion she wrote three verses to show her affection: "Sweet blind singer over the sae Tuneful and jubilant, how can it be That the songs of gladness which float so far, As if they fell from an evening star, Are the notes of one who may never see `Visible Music' of flower and tree? "How can she sing in the dark like this? What is her fountain of light and bliss? Her heart can see! Her heart can see! Well may she sing so joyously! For the King Himself, in His tender grace, Hath shown her the brightness of His face. "Dear blind sister over the sea! An English heart foes out to thee, We are linked by a cable of faith and song, Flashing bright sympathy swift along, One in the east and one in the west, Singing for Him whom our love best! Sister, what will our meeting be When our hearts shall sing, and our eyes shall see!" And, here are Fanny's original lyrics, which were included in a box next to the article: Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross Fanny Crosby Jesus, keep me near the cross, There a precious fountain Free to all, a healing stream, Flows from Calv'ry's mountain. In the cross, in the cross Be my glory ever, Till my raptured soul shall find Rest beyond the river. Near the cross! O Lamb of God, Bring its scenes before me; Help me walk from day to day With its shadow o'er me. In the cross, in the cross Be my glory ever, Till my raptured soul shall find Rest beyond the river. Near the cross I'll watch and wait, Hoping, trusting ever, Till I reach the golden strand Just beyond the river. In the cross, in the cross Be my glory ever, Till my raptured soul shall find Rest beyond the river. |
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05 Feb 03 - 12:35 AM (#882831) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: & Origin - Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross From: masato sakurai Frances Jane "Fanny" Crosby website. ~Masato |
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05 Feb 03 - 12:59 AM (#882840) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: & Origin - Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross From: katlaughing Thanks, Masato. Very interesting woman, wasn't she? |
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05 Feb 03 - 08:20 AM (#883009) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: & Origin - Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross From: Genie thanka to both of you |
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05 Feb 03 - 08:42 AM (#883021) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: & Origin - Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross From: Jerry Rasmussen Kat: Thanks so much for posting this! The Men's Chorus the Messengers all sing in start every practice singing this song. I first heard it at an anniversary concert of a black gospel quartet back in the mid- 60's, never realizing that one day I'd be leading a quartet. I've sung this song on my own since I first heard it, and have never tired of it. Jerry |
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05 Feb 03 - 10:03 AM (#883096) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: & Origin - Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross From: katlaughing You're welcome, both of ya! Jerry, that is so neat! Even though I am not Christian, I still think it is pretty and I love the words penned by Havergal. |
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05 Dec 11 - 06:52 PM (#3269001) Subject: Lyr Add: JESUS, KEEP ME NEAR THE CROSS (Crosby...) From: Q (Frank Staplin) Lyr. Add: JESUS, KEEP ME NEAR THE CROSS Words Fanny Crosby, Music W. Howard Doane Jesus, keep me near the cross, There a precious fountain Free to all, a healing stream Flows from Calvary's mountain. Refrain In the cross, in the cross, Be my glory ever; Till my raptured soul shall find Rest beyond the river. Near the cross, a trembling soul, Love and mercy found me; There the bright and morning star Sheds its beams around me. Refrain Near the cross! O Lamb of God, Bring its scenes before me; Help me walk from day to day With its shadows o'er me. Refrain Near the cross I'll watch and wait Hoping, trusting ever, Till I reach the golden strand, Just beyond the river. Refrain Order somewhat different from that posted by katlaughing. According to Cyberhymnal, it was first printed in Bright Jewels, by William B. Bradbury, 1869, Biglow & Main, New York. Inspired by Revelations 22.1-2. Midi at Cyberhymnal. http://hymntime.com/tch/htm/n/e/r/nercross.htm |
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06 Dec 11 - 11:34 AM (#3269309) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: & Origin - Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross From: GUEST,pete from seven stars link thanks-some interesting reading. |