Just a Closer Walk With Thee Sheet Music

Representative Text

1 I am weak but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I'll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.

Refrain:
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.

2 Thro' this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee. [Refrain]

3 When my feeble life is o'er,
Time for me will be no more;
Guide me gently, safely o'er
To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore. [Refrain]

Baptist Hymnal, 1991

Author: Anonymous

In some hymnals, the editors noted that a hymn's author is unknown to them, and so this artificial "person" entry is used to reflect that fact. Obviously, the hymns attributed to "Author Unknown" "Unknown" or "Anonymous" could have been written by many people over a span of many centuries. Go to person page >

Text Information

• Text Information
• Lectionary Weeks
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First Line:	I am weak, but thou art strong
Title:	Just a Closer Walk with Thee
Author:	Anonymous
Meter:	Irregular
Language:	English
Refrain First Line:	Just a closer walk with thee
Copyright:	Public Domain
Liturgical Use:	Confession Songs

For Leaders

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In this song, we acknowledge our human inability to live righteously, but we also express awareness of the grace and strength that God gives us in our daily walk. Even such an esteemed saint as the apostle Paul acknowledged his need for this grace: "But he [God] said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." … For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:9a, 10b ESV)

Text:

No one knows when or where this song was written, but it became popular in the 1930s and 1940s in the South of the United States among African Americans, and spread from there. This song has three stanzas and a refrain. It acknowledges the frailty of human life and willpower, and asks for Jesus's companionship throughout our daily life.

Tune:

The tune's origins, like those of the text are anonymous. CLOSER WALK is named for the text with which it has always been paired. The chromatic scale of the first phrase of the melody and the tune's association with concert singers are factors against use for congregational singing. However, the repetition within the song could help overcome this, since the same melody is used for the stanzas and the refrain.

When/Why/How:

This song is often performed in concert rather than sung by congregations in worship, but it may have congregational origins (Paul Westermeyer, Hymnal Companion to Evangelical Lutheran Worship, p. 553). It is popular among choral arrangers, who explore the range of moods this tune can accommodate with varying tempos. For example, "A Closer Walk with Thee," which is a medley of "Just a Closer Walk with Thee" and "Trust and Obey," has a bluesy accompaniment at a quick tempo. "Just a Closer Walk with Thee" is a slow, soulful setting for choir and piano, and optional instruments and rhythm. A simpler version of "Just a Closer Walk" has a little swing and a short instrumental motif during the long notes of the melody.

Tiffany Shomsky,
Hymnary.org

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Timeline

Page Scans

Instances

Instances (1 - 42 of 42)

Chalice Hymnal #557

Display Title: Just a Closer Walk with Thee First Line: I am weak, but thou art strong Tune Title: CLOSER WALK Author: Anonymous Meter: Irr. w. refrain Date: 1995 Subject: Adversity | ; Assurance | ; Comfort | ; God's Church | Life of Discipleship: Trust and Assurance; Grief | ; Jesus Christ: Presence | ; Trust |

Chalice Hymnal #557

Complete Mission Praise #263

Display Title: I am weak but Thou art strong First Line: I am weak but Thou art strong Tune Title: [I am weak but Thou art strong] Author: Anon. Date: 1999 Subject: Living the Christian Life | Faith and Trust in God; Living the Christian Life | Trials and Temptations

Complete Mission Praise #263

Glory to God #835

Display Title: Just a Closer Walk with Thee First Line: I am weak but thou art strong Tune Title: CLOSER WALK Meter: Irregular Scripture: 2 Samuel 22:33; Psalm 73:26; Isaiah 41:10; 2 Corinthians 12:9; 2 Corinthians 13:4 Date: 2013 Subject: Christian Life | ; Discipleship | ; Living and Dying in Christ | Source: Trad. North American hymn

Glory to God #835

Hymns for a Pilgrim People #430

Display Title: Just a Closer Walk with Thee First Line: I am weak but Thou art strong Tune Title: CLOSER WALK Author: Anonymous Meter: 7.7.7.8 Scripture: Philippians 4:13 Date: 2007 Subject: Assurance | ; Comfort | ; Guidance | ; Journey | ; Pilgrim / Pilgrimage | ; Prayer / Petition |

Hymns for a Pilgrim People #430

Hymns of Faith #279

Display Title: Just a Closer Walk with Thee First Line: I am weak, but Thou art strong Tune Title: [I am weak, but Thou art strong] Scripture: Joel 3:10; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 Date: 1980 Subject: Choir | ; Christ | Comforter; Fellowship | with God; Prayer | Hymns of Source: Unknown

Hymns of Faith #279

Hymns of Promise #79

Display Title: Just a Closer Walk with Thee First Line: I am weak, but thou art strong Tune Title: CLOSER WALK Author: Anon. Meter: Irregular Date: 2015 Subject: Walking in Faith |

Hymns of Promise #79

Lead Me, Guide Me (2nd ed.) #783

Display Title: Just a Closer Walk with Thee First Line: I am weak but thou art strong Tune Title: CLOSER WALK Author: Anonymous Meter: 777 8 Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:27; 2 Corinthians 5:7; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Ephesians 6:10 Date: 2012 Subject: All Souls | November 2nd; Burdens | ; Death | ; Eternal Life | ; Funeral | Sacraments; Heaven | ; Love for Jesus Christ | ; Petition, Prayer | ; Presence of God | ; Refuge, Security |

Lead Me, Guide Me (2nd ed.) #783

Lift Up Your Hearts #661

Display Title: Just a Closer Walk with Thee First Line: I am weak but thou art strong Tune Title: CLOSER WALK Author: Anonymous Scripture: Psalm 62; Isaiah 26:3; Matthew 11:28-30; James 4:8 Date: 2013 Subject: Death and Dying | ; Elements of Worship | Confession; Elements of Worship | Forgiviness and Grace; Hymns That Are Prayer | ; Jesus Christ | Friend

Lift Up Your Hearts #661

One in Faith #780

Display Title: Just a Closer Walk with Thee First Line: I am weak, but thou art strong Tune Title: CLOSER WALK Meter: Irregular Date: 2015 Subject: Consolation | Source: Traditional

One in Faith #780

One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism #155

Display Title: Just a Closer Walk with Thee First Line: I am weak but Thou art strong Tune Title: CLOSER WALK Author: Anonymous Meter: 777 8 Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:27; 2 Corinthians 5:7; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Ephesians 6:10 Date: 2018 Subject: Petition | ; Prayer | ; The Assembly at Worship | Prayer

One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism #155

Rejoice Hymns #426

Display Title: Just A Closer Walk with Thee First Line: I am weak, but Thou art strong Tune Title: CLOSER WALK Author: Anonymous Meter: Irregular Date: 2011 Subject: Consecration | ; Discipleship | ; Guidance | ; Jesus | Friend

Rejoice Hymns #426

Santo, Santo, Santo #584

Display Title: Just a Closer Walk with Thee (Junto a ti, mi buen Señor) First Line: I am weak but thou art strong (Te preciso, mi Señor) Tune Title: CLOSER WALK Author: Anonymous; Arnoldo Canclini, b. 1926 Meter: 777 7 with refrain Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33; Matthew 26:31-35 Date: 2019 Subject: Arrepentimiento | ; Discipleship | ; Discipulado | ; Jesucristo | Amigo; Jesus Christ | Friend; Oración | ; Prayer | ; Repentance |

Santo, Santo, Santo #584

Sing Joyfully #394

Display Title: Just a Closer Walk with Thee First Line: I am weak, but Thou art strong Tune Title: [I am weak, but Thou art strong] Date: 1989 Subject: Burdens | ; Fellowship | with God; Guidance | ; Hope | ; Jesus Christ | Friend; Jesus Christ | Guide; Jesus Christ | Lordship Source: Unknown

Sing Joyfully #394

Sing the Faith #2158

Display Title: Just A Closer Walk with Thee First Line: I am weak, but thou are strong Tune Title: CLOSER WALK Author: Anon. Meter: Irregular with refrain Date: 2003

Sing the Faith #2158

Songs of Zion #46

Display Title: Just a Closer Walk with Thee First Line: I am weak but Thou art strong Tune Title: [I am weak but Thou art strong] Date: 1981 Subject: Hymns | Source: Traditional

Songs of Zion #46

The Celebration Hymnal #564

Display Title: Just a Closer Walk with Thee First Line: I am weak but Thou art strong Tune Title: CLOSER WALK Author: Anonymous Meter: Irregular meter Date: 1997 Subject: Walking with God | Aspiration and Consecration

The Celebration Hymnal #564

The Faith We Sing #2158

Display Title: Just A Closer Walk with Thee First Line: I am weak, but thou are strong Tune Title: CLOSER WALK Author: Anon. Meter: Irregular with refrain Scripture: James 4:8 Date: 2001 Subject: Grace | Personal Holiness

The Faith We Sing #2158

The Worshiping Church #561

Display Title: Just a Closer Walk with Thee First Line: I am weak, but thou art strong Tune Title: CLOSER WALK Author: Anonymous Meter: Irregular Scripture: Joel 3:10; 1 Corinthians 12:10; Ephesians 6:10 Date: 1990

The Worshiping Church #561

This Far By Faith #253

Display Title: Just a Closer Walk with Thee First Line: I am weak but thou art strong Tune Title: CLOSER WALK Scripture: Micah 6:8; Acts 10:12; 2 Corinthians 13:4; Ephesians 5 Date: 1999 Subject: Holy Communion | ; Struggle, Faith | ; Trust | Source: Traditional

This Far By Faith #253

Timeless Truths #559

Display Title: Just a Closer Walk with Thee First Line: I am weak, but Thou art strong Tune Title: CLOSER WALK Author: Unknown Meter: 7.7.7.9 R Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:4 Source: Anonymous/Unknown, The Blue Book (147); Timeless Truths (http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Just_a_Closer_Walk_with_Thee)

Timeless Truths #559

Total Praise #442

Display Title: Just a Closer Walk with Thee First Line: I am weak but Thou art strong Tune Title: CLOSER WALK Author: Anonymous Meter: 777 8 Scripture: Hosea 11:12 Date: 2011 Subject: Burdens | ; Everlasting Life | ; Fellowship with God | ; Guidance | ; Kingdom | ; Refuge |

Total Praise #442

Voices Together #743

Display Title: Just a Closer Walk with Thee First Line: Just a closer walk with thee Tune Title: CLOSER WALK Meter: Irregular Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; 2 Corinthians 4:16 - 5:10; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 Date: 2020 Subject: Death and Eternal Life | ; Following Christ | ; Heaven | ; Heritage | African American; Joy | ; Suffering | ; Trials | Source: African American traditional (USA), ca. 20th c.

Voices Together #743

Worship and Rejoice #504

Display Title: Just a Closer Walk with Thee First Line: I am weak, but thou art strong Tune Title: CLOSER WALK Author: Anonymous Meter: Irregular Scripture: Joel 3:10; Matthew 26:69-75; Mark 14:66-72; Luke 1:38; Luke 22:55-62; John 18:16-18; John 18:25-27; 1 Corinthians 1:27; 2 Corinthians 12:10; Ephesians 6:10 Date: 2003 Subject: Conflict | Spiritual

Worship and Rejoice #504

Yes, Lord! #388

Display Title: Just a Closer Walk with Thee First Line: I am weak but Thou art strong Tune Title: [I am weak but Thou art strong] Author: Unknown Date: 1982 Subject: Guidance |

Yes, Lord! #388

Include 57 pre-1979 instances

Just a Closer Walk With Thee Sheet Music

Source: https://hymnary.org/text/i_am_weak_but_thou_art_strong