1. One sweetly solemn thoughtcomes to me o’er and o’er:I am nearer home todayThan I’ve ever been before,Nearer my Father’s houseWhere the many mansions be,Nearer the great white throne,Nearer the crystal sea,Nearer the bounds of lifewhere we lay our burdens down,Nearer leaving the cross,Nearer gaining the crown.But lying darkly between,Winding a-down through the night,Is the silent, unknown streamThat leads at last to the light.Father, be near when my feetare slipping o’er the brink,For it may be I am nearer home,Nearer now than I think.