Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Brickman enrolled in the Cleveland Institute of Music taking courses in composition and performance, while taking business classes at Case Western Reserve University. His music career started when he was nineteen, when Jim Henson hired him to write tunes for Sesame Street. He was also hired to write commercial jingles while in college.
Brickman writes a wide variety of music. Besides his piano compositions and love songs, he has also created arrangements of other songs. Several of his albums feature arrangements of children's music; he has produced two Christmas-themed albums The Gift (1997) and Peace (2003); and his 2005 album Grace concentrates on arrangements of well-known Christian music.
Jim Brickman has also starred in the now-on-DVD PBS specials "My Romance: An Evening with Jim Brickman", "Love Songs & Lullabies" and "The Disney Songbook." In 2006, he sponsored his first Jim Brickman Valentine's Day Cruise with Carnival Cruise Lines which has become an annual event.
Be Thou Near To Me
Jim Brickman Lyrics
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For in my hour of darkness I may be
Seeking the joy of love unspoken
Oh, Lord be Thou near to me
And the holy voices sing Hallelu (Hallelujah)
Ever will Thy reign be
As I wander through this life
Though in this burden of my making
Yet in the shadows, still a light I see
Maker whose love is not forsaken
Oh, Lord be Thou near to me
And the holy voices sing Hallelu (Hallelujah)
Ever will Thy reign be
As I wander through this life
Oh, Lord be Thou near to me
And the holy voices sing Hallelu (Hallelujah)
Ever will Thy reign be
As I wander through this life
Oh, Lord be Thou near to me
Oh, Lord be Thou near to me
The lyrics to Jim Brickman's song "Be Thou Near To Me" convey a tender appeal to a divine presence in moments of darkness and burden. The song opens with a declarative statement of the singer's openness to their heart, suggesting a vulnerability and readiness to receive comfort and guidance. The first verse reveals a desire for love that remains unexpressed, which could imply a feeling of isolation or a struggle to communicate deep emotions with others. In the chorus, the singer invokes the image of holy voices singing "Hallelu", which is a Hebrew word meaning "praise Yahweh" or "praise the Lord". This repetition of praise is an acknowledgement of the divine presence, and the lyrics express a belief in the continuity of God's reign beyond the fleeting moments of human existence.
The second verse introduces a burden that the singer acknowledges as their own responsibility, but there is also a glimmer of hope in the midst of the shadows. The reference to a "Maker whose love is not forsaken" could be interpreted as a reassurance of God's faithfulness and mercy, despite our flawed nature. The song's simple and sincere phrasing lends a sense of urgency to the plea for divine nearness, reminding us that human existence is always fragile and temporal. The repetition of the chorus serves as a reminder that even as we wander through life, we can find comfort and meaning in the embrace of a divine presence.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, Lord I come with heart, here open
I come to you, God, with an open heart
For in my hour of darkness I may be
During my times of despair and sadness
Seeking the joy of love unspoken
Looking for the happiness that can come from love that is not expressed aloud
Oh, Lord be Thou near to me
God, please be close to me during these difficult times
And the holy voices sing Hallelu
The voices of the angels are praising God with great joy
Ever will Thy reign be
God's power and rule will last forever
As I wander through this life
As I live and journey through this world
Though in this burden of my making
Even though I sometimes create my own difficulties and problems
Yet in the shadows, still a light I see
I can still find hope and comfort, even in dark and uncertain times
Maker whose love is not forsaken
God, who continues to love me even when I feel lost or alone
Oh, Lord be Thou near to me
God, please continue to be close and help me through my struggles
And the holy voices sing Hallelu
The angels are still rejoicing and praising God
Ever will Thy reign be
God's power will last forever
As I wander through this life
As I continue to journey through my time on earth
Oh, Lord be Thou near to me
God, please stay by my side and continue to guide me
Lyrics © THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC.
Written by: David Grow
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind