As a member of the United States Merchant Marine, Husky entertained the troops on his ship in World War 2. After the war, Husky became a DJ in Missouri and Bakersfield, California, where he began using the moniker Terry Preston in order to hide his rural roots. He also recorded " Gone " under the name of Terry Preston and was a semi-hit.. He re-recorded it in later 50's and was a hit.. As a honky tonk singer, Husky signed with Capitol Records in 1953 under the guidance of Cliffie Stone, also the manager for Tennessee Ernie Ford. With Capitol Records, he reverted to his given name. A few singles failed before "A Dear John Letter" with Jean Shepard became a #1 hit. The followup was called "Forgive Me John".
In 1955, Husky had a solo hit with "I Feel Better All Over (More Than Anywhere's Else)"/"Little Tom", and developed Simon Crum as a comic alter ego. As Crum, Husky signed a separate contract with Capitol Records and began releasing records, the biggest of which was 1959's "Country Music is Here to Stay" (No. 2 for three weeks).
In the late 1950s, Husky had a long string of hits, including the #1 "Gone", (he first recorded Gone as Terry Preston in 1952) and he began an acting career on the Kraft TV Theatre program and the film Mr. Rock & Roll. Bob Ferguson's "Wings of a Dove" became his biggest hits, topping the country charts for ten weeks and attaining #12 on the pop charts. Although he didn't have any more number 1's, between 1961 and 1972 he had over two dozen hits with the biggest of which being the Top 5's, "Once" (1967) and "Just For You" (1968). In late 1972, after over 20 years with Capitol Records, Ferlin signed with ABC Records, where he scored several Top 40 hits into 1975 with the biggest of his hits there being the Top 20 "Rosie Cries A Lot" (1973). Ferlin briefly retired in 1977 following heart surgery but resumed touring after that. He remains a popular concert draw, performing at the Grand Ole Opry and elsewhere.
Just a Closer Walk with Thee
Ferlin Husky Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll be satisfied as long as I walk let me walk close to Thee
Just a closer walk with Thee grant it Jesus is my plea
Daily walking close to Thee let it be dear Lord let it be
[ dobro ]
When my feeble life is o'er and time for me will be no more
Guide me gently safely o'er to Thy kingdoms shore to Thy shore
Just a closer walk with Thee...
The lyrics to Ferlin Husky's "Just a Closer Walk With Thee" are a plea for strength, guidance and comfort from Jesus. The singer humbly acknowledges their own weakness and asks for Jesus to keep them from all wrong. They express their desire to be satisfied simply by staying close to Jesus and walking with Him. They then implore Jesus to grant them a closer walk with Him and to let them walk daily close to Him. The dobro solo that follows is a beautiful instrumental section that serves as a meditative interlude, allowing the listener to reflect on the lyrics they've just heard. Finally, the singer asks Jesus to guide them gently and safely to His kingdom's shore when their life ends.
At its core, "Just a Closer Walk With Thee" is a gospel hymn that speaks to the human need for spiritual guidance and the comfort that faith can bring. Even when confronting mortality, the singer finds solace and hope in the idea of walking with Jesus.
Interestingly, this song has been covered by many artists, from traditional gospel singers to contemporary musicians. It has been recorded by Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, and many others. In fact, it is one of the most recorded gospel songs of all time.
Line by Line Meaning
I am weak but Thou art strong Jesus keep me from all wrong
I acknowledge my weakness and ask Jesus to protect me from committing any wrongdoing.
I'll be satisfied as long as I walk let me walk close to Thee
As long as I have Jesus by my side, I will find contentment by walking closely with Him.
Just a closer walk with Thee grant it Jesus is my plea
My humble request to Jesus is to allow me to walk even closer with Him.
Daily walking close to Thee let it be dear Lord let it be
My hope and desire are to walk with the Lord every day, and I humbly ask Him to make it happen.
[ dobro ]
Instrumental break.
When my feeble life is o'er and time for me will be no more
In preparation for my eventual death, when my weak and mortal life comes to an end.
Guide me gently safely o'er to Thy kingdoms shore to Thy shore
Assist me in safely crossing over to the kingdom of heaven when my time comes to an end.
Just a closer walk with Thee...
Repetition of the plea for a closer walk with Jesus.
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: AMANDA JARRETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind