One sweetly solemn thought
Comes to me o’er and o’er,—
I am nearer home to-day
Than I’ve ever been before;—
Nearer my Father’s house
Where the many mansions be,
Nearer the great white throne,
Nearer the jasper sea;—
Nearer the bound of life
Where we lay our burdens down;
Nearer leaving the cross,
Nearer gaining the crown.
But lying darkly between,
Winding down through the night,
Is the dim and unknown stream
That leads at last to the light.
Closer and closer my steps
Come to the dark abysm;
Closer death to my lips
Presses the awful chrism.
Father, perfect my trust;
Strengthen the might of my faith;
Let me feel as I would when I stand
On the rock of the shore of death,—
Feel as I would when my feet
Are slipping o’er the brink;
For it may be I am nearer home,
Nearer now than I think.