The words were written by English Anglican priest John Ernest Bode (1816-1874)
was first published in 1868 with the title "Hymn for the Newly Confirmed."
Various editors have made alterations to the words over the years. A more modern set of lyrics, closely based on the original is given below.
With meter 7.6.7.6 D, tunes it is set to include:
It is sometimes recommended for baptism and confirmation.
To serve Thee to the end;
Be Thou forever near me,
My Master and my Friend!
I shall not fear the battle
If Thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway
If Thou wilt be my guide.
Oh, let me feel Thee near me!
The world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle,
The tempting sounds I hear;
My foes are ever near me,
Around me and within;
But, Jesus, draw Thou nearer,
And shield my soul from sin.
Oh, let me hear Thee speaking
In accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion,
The murmurs of self-will!
Oh, speak to re-assure me,
To hasten or control!
Oh, speak, and make me listen,
Thou guardian of my soul!
O Jesus, Thou hast promised
To all who follow Thee,
That where Thou art in glory
There shall Thy servant be;
And, Jesus, I have promised
To serve Thee to the end;
Oh, give me grace to follow,
My master and my friend!
Oh, let me see Thy foot-marks,
And in them plant my own!
My hope to follow duly
Is in thy strength alone,
Oh, guide me, call me, draw me,
Uphold me to the end!
At last in heaven receive me,
My saviour and my friend!
To serve you to the end;
Be Lord forever near me,
My Master and my Friend!
I shall not fear the battle
If you are by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway
If you will be my guide.
Oh, let me feel you near me!
The world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle,
The tempting sounds I hear;
My foes are ever near me,
Around me and within;
But, Jesus, draw in nearer,
And shield my soul from sin.
Oh, let me hear you speaking
In accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion,
The murmurs of self-will!
Oh, speak to re-assure me,
To hasten or control!
Oh, speak, and make me listen,
Oh guardian of my soul!
O Jesus, you have promised
To all who follow you,
That where you are in glory
There shall your servant be;
And, Jesus, I have promised
To serve you to the end;
Oh, give me grace to follow,
My Master and my Friend!
Oh, let me see your foot-marks,
And in them plant my own!
My hope to follow duly
Is in your strength alone,
Oh, guide me, call me, draw me,
Uphold me to the end!
At last in heaven receive me,
My saviour and my friend!
Various editors have made alterations to the words over the years. A more modern set of lyrics, closely based on the original is given below.
With meter 7.6.7.6 D, tunes it is set to include:
- ANGELS STORY by Arthur H Mann (1850-1929) - the most commonly-used tune
- DAY OF REST (Elliott) by James William Elliott (1833-1915)
- WOLVERCOTE
- NYLAND
- MUNICH
It is sometimes recommended for baptism and confirmation.
Downloads
Examples
ANGEL'S STORY - instrumental
Large choir with organ, tune DAY OF REST
Singer with guitar, tune ANGEL'S REST
Choir with organ, tune WOLVERCOTE
Choir with organ:
Lyrics
Traditional
O Jesus, I have promisedTo serve Thee to the end;
Be Thou forever near me,
My Master and my Friend!
I shall not fear the battle
If Thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway
If Thou wilt be my guide.
Oh, let me feel Thee near me!
The world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle,
The tempting sounds I hear;
My foes are ever near me,
Around me and within;
But, Jesus, draw Thou nearer,
And shield my soul from sin.
Oh, let me hear Thee speaking
In accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion,
The murmurs of self-will!
Oh, speak to re-assure me,
To hasten or control!
Oh, speak, and make me listen,
Thou guardian of my soul!
O Jesus, Thou hast promised
To all who follow Thee,
That where Thou art in glory
There shall Thy servant be;
And, Jesus, I have promised
To serve Thee to the end;
Oh, give me grace to follow,
My master and my friend!
Oh, let me see Thy foot-marks,
And in them plant my own!
My hope to follow duly
Is in thy strength alone,
Oh, guide me, call me, draw me,
Uphold me to the end!
At last in heaven receive me,
My saviour and my friend!
Modern English:
O Jesus, I have promisedTo serve you to the end;
Be Lord forever near me,
My Master and my Friend!
I shall not fear the battle
If you are by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway
If you will be my guide.
Oh, let me feel you near me!
The world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle,
The tempting sounds I hear;
My foes are ever near me,
Around me and within;
But, Jesus, draw in nearer,
And shield my soul from sin.
Oh, let me hear you speaking
In accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion,
The murmurs of self-will!
Oh, speak to re-assure me,
To hasten or control!
Oh, speak, and make me listen,
Oh guardian of my soul!
O Jesus, you have promised
To all who follow you,
That where you are in glory
There shall your servant be;
And, Jesus, I have promised
To serve you to the end;
Oh, give me grace to follow,
My Master and my Friend!
Oh, let me see your foot-marks,
And in them plant my own!
My hope to follow duly
Is in your strength alone,
Oh, guide me, call me, draw me,
Uphold me to the end!
At last in heaven receive me,
My saviour and my friend!
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