"Nearer, My God, to Thee"

Episode 07: The history behind “Nearer, My God, to Thee”: Sarah Flower Adams wanted to become an actress, but ill health cut her acting career short, so she turned to writing. As a member of the congregation of the Rev. William Johnson Fox, a Unitarian minister in London, she contributed 13 hymns to the Hymns and Anthems, published in 1841. "Nearer, My God, to Thee" was written by request to accompany a sermon by Reverend Fox on the account of Jacob's dream in Genesis chapter 28. Originally, it was sung to a tune composed by Sarah's sister, Eliza. But the hymn did not gain wide appeal until paired with the Lowell Mason tune with which it is commonly sung today. Lowell Mason was largely responsible for introducing music into American public schools. He arranged and adapted music for "Joy to the World," "How Gentle God's Commands," and many others. This program features contemporary renditions of this hymn from such artists as the following: Lex de Azevedo, "London Philharmonic Orchestra" series, instrumental version (Album: A Child of God); Kurt Bestor (Album: Images); the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square (Album: Then Sings My Soul); Octapella (Album: Worship); Geslison and Groberg (Album: Abide with Me); Michael Dowdle (Beloved Hymns of Prayer and Faith); Vocal Point (Album: Non-Stop); Lex De Azevedo (Album: Variations on a Sacred Theme II); and the Utah Chamber Artists (Album: We'll Sing and We'll Shout).