This morning, Ruthie Calvino, a young cellist in my church, and I ministered a simple guitar-cello arrangement that I put together of the hymn “Nearer, Still Nearer” (words and music by Lelia N. Morris). I strummed on the first stanza, picked on the second stanza, and used a new accompaniment style that I invented that I call a “finger roll” on the last stanza. You can listen to the audio below.
Nearer, Still Nearer
4-measure guitar introduction
Nearer, still nearer, close to Thy heart,
Draw me, my Savior, so precious Thou art;
Fold me, O, fold me close to Thy breast,
Shelter me safe in that “Haven of Rest,”
Shelter me safe in that “Haven of Rest.”
No interlude
Nearer, still nearer, nothing I bring,
Naught as an off’ring to Jesus, my King;
Only my sinful, now contrite heart;
Grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart,
Grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart.
3-measure guitar interlude for modulation from C to D
Nearer, still nearer, while life shall last,
Till safe in glory my anchor is cast;
Through endless ages ever to be,
Nearer, my Savior, still nearer to Thee,
Nearer, my Savior, still nearer to Thee.
4-measure ending tag that repeats the last line
This PDF provides the music for the arrangement. Here is the audio from this morning:
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