I’ve been exploring some of the very modern worship songs as an old guy 😀. But now, I’ve decided to alternate between very modern hymns, old hymns, and in-between hymns, namely the worship songs from the 60s to the 90s that feature in hymnbooks such as Mission Praise. Today it’s the turn of the old hymns.
Today’s song is Just a Closer Walk With Thee.
We don’t know it’s author. It originated in the 19th Century in the African American gospel scene. It particularly associated with New Orleans.
I first heard it in the Live and Let Die James Bond movie back in 1973, when I was 11, though I think that it might have been on an album of religious songs that we had at home.
I don’t ever remember singing it when I was a Roman Catholic, but it was in some evangelical hymnbooks, such as Mission Praise. We never did a good job when we attempted to sing it in the various evangelical churches that I’ve attended since I was 18. It works best when it’s played at the proper rhythm. Maybe it works better for soloists than for congregations. The lyrics are wonderful.
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.
Refrain:
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.
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. [Refrain]
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. [Refrain]
Here are some other versions. I don’t know why I chose Daniel O’Donnell’s version as the main one up above – but he’s Irish. We Irish try to look after each other 😅.
Hibernia Gospel 