One sweetly solemn thought br Comes to me o’er and o’er; br I am nearer home to-day br Than I ever have been before; br br Nearer my Father’s house, br Where the many mansions be; br Nearer the great white throne, br Nearer the crystal sea; br br Nearer the bound of life, br Where we lay our burdens down; br Nearer leaving the cross, br Nearer gaining the crown! br br But lying darkly between, br Winding down through the night, br Is the silent, unknown stream, br That leads at last to the light. br br Closer and closer my steps br Come to the dread abysm: br Closer Death to my lips br Presses the awful chrism.