Everyone who has studied or been touched by the tragic saga of the RMS Titanic,
or seen James Cameron's incomparable 1997 film, Titanic, is familiar with the lovely old hymn:
"Nearer, My God, to Thee", which is quoted in full above. According to several witnesses,
the resident musicians played: "Nearer, My God, to Thee", during the final throes of the great liner, and this hymn has become such an integral part of her legend that for many it has virtually become an icon of Titanic.

And he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. --Genesis 28:11-12

Nearer, my God to Thee,
Nearer to Thee,
E'en tho' it be a cross
That raiseth me;
Still all my song shall be,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee!

Tho' like a wanderer,
The sun gone down,
Darkness be over me,
My rest a stone,
Yet in my dreams I'd be,
Nearer, my God to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee!

There let the way appear,
Steps unto heav'n;
All that Thou sendest me,
In mercy giv'n;
Angels to beckon me,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee!

Then, with my waking tho'ts
Bright with Thy praise,
Out of my stony griefs,
Bethel I'll raise;
So by my woes to be,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee!

Or if, on joyful wing
Cleaving the sky,
Sun, moon and stars forgot,
Upward I fly,
Still all my song shall be,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee!

Sarah Adams (1805 - 1848)