Near The Cross
Iris DeMent Lyrics


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Jesus, keep me near the cross,
There a precious fountain-
Free to all, a healing stream-
Flows from Calv'ry's mountain.

In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever.
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.

Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and Mercy found me.
There the bright and morning star
Sheds its beams around me.

In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever.
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.

Near the cross, O Lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me.
Help me walk from day to day,
With its shadows o'er me.

In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever.
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.

Near the cross I'll watch and wait
Hoping, trusting ever.
Till the golden strand I reach,
Just beyond the river.





In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever.
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Near the Cross" express a deep devotion to Jesus and a desire to remain close to Him. The singer invokes Jesus to keep her near the cross, where a precious fountain, free to all, flows from Calvary's mountain. The image of the cross, the place where Jesus was crucified and died for the sins of humanity, is central to the song's message. The singer finds love and mercy near the cross, where the bright and morning star sheds its beams around her.


The repetition of the phrase "in the cross, in the cross" reinforces the importance of the cross and its redemptive power. The singer asks Jesus to be her glory ever, until her soul can find rest beyond the river. The river is a metaphor for death, and the singer hopes to find peace and rest in the afterlife.


As the song progresses, the singer continues to meditate on the significance of the cross. She asks Jesus to bring its scenes before her and help her to walk with its shadows over her. Despite the challenges she may face, she wants to remain close to the cross and to Jesus. She will watch and wait near the cross, hoping and trusting ever, until she can reach the golden strand just beyond the river.


Overall, "Near the Cross" is a hymn of deep faith and devotion. It expresses a desire to remain close to Jesus and to be saved by His sacrifice on the cross. The cross is a powerful symbol of redemption and hope, and the song encourages listeners to find strength and comfort in its shadow.


Line by Line Meaning

Jesus, keep me near the cross,
I pray to Jesus to keep me close to the cross, where a precious fountain of healing water flows freely from the mount of Calvary.


There a precious fountain-
At the cross, there is a precious fountain of healing, freely available to all who seek it.


Free to all, a healing stream-
The healing stream at the cross is available to everyone, without cost or condition.


Flows from Calv'ry's mountain.
The healing stream flows from the mountain of Calvary, where Jesus was crucified.


In the cross, in the cross,
I find my glory and hope in the cross.


Be my glory ever.
Let the cross be my everlasting glory.


Till my raptured soul shall find
Until my soul is taken up to heaven in the rapture,


Rest beyond the river.
I will find my eternal rest on the other side of the river of death.


Near the cross, a trembling soul,
As a trembling soul, I am drawn near to the cross where I find love and mercy.


Love and Mercy found me.
At the cross, I find the love and mercy of God.


There the bright and morning star
At the cross, the bright and morning star shines its light upon me.


Sheds its beams around me.
The bright and morning star shines its beams of light around me, comforting me and lighting my path.


Near the cross, O Lamb of God,
O Lamb of God, as I draw near to the cross,


Bring its scenes before me.
Please bring the scenes of the cross before me, so I may dwell upon them and find solace in them.


Help me walk from day to day,
Help me to live my life day by day,


With its shadows o'er me.
With the shadow of the cross constantly present in my life, guiding me and giving me hope.


Near the cross I'll watch and wait
I will keep watch and wait near the cross,


Hoping, trusting ever.
Hoping and trusting always in the love and mercy of God.


Till the golden strand I reach,
Until I reach the golden shore of heaven, where there will be no more pain or sadness.


Just beyond the river.
On the other side of the river of death, eternal life and joy await me.


In the cross, in the cross,
Always and forever, the cross is my source of hope and salvation.


Be my glory ever.
May the cross be my eternal glory and guide in life.


Till my raptured soul shall find
Until the day when my soul is taken up in the rapture,


Rest beyond the river.
I will find my eternal rest and peace on the other side of the river of death.




Contributed by Taylor B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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