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Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross
Verse 1
Jesus, keep me near the cross,
There a precious fountain
Free to all, a healing stream,
Flows from Calvary’s mountain.
There a precious fountain
Free to all, a healing stream,
Flows from Calvary’s mountain.
Refrain
In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever,
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.
Be my glory ever,
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.
Verse 2
Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and mercy found me;
There the bright and Morning Star
Sheds its beams around me.
Love and mercy found me;
There the bright and Morning Star
Sheds its beams around me.
Verse 3
Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day,
With its shadow o’er me.
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day,
With its shadow o’er me.
Verse 4
Near the cross I’ll watch and wait,
Hoping, trusting ever,
Till I reach the golden strand,
Just beyond the river.
Hoping, trusting ever,
Till I reach the golden strand,
Just beyond the river.
Crosby's cherished hymn expresses the believer's desire for proximity to Christ's redemptive work.