Just A Closer Walk With Thee

From Vol. 3
Gospel Goodies

SUGGESTED KEY: E

CAPO: None

CHORD FAMILY: E

TIME SIGNATURE: 4/4

SKILL LEVEL: Easy

A Little About This Song…

Just A Closer Walk With Thee is said to be one of the most popular southern gospel hymns of last century. No one knows for certain who wrote it but it’s commonly thought to have originated as an African American Spiritual. In his book How Sweet The Sound, author Horace Clarence Boyer says the song was discovered by songwriter Kenneth Morris while traveling between Kansas City and Chicago in 1940, as he got off the train to stretch his legs. Standing on the platform, he overheard a porter singing “Just a Closer Walk with Thee”. Morris then boarded his train and went on his way. But the words and melody of the song kept repeating in his head and he knew he had to hear more of it. At the next stop, Morris got off the train and immediately returned to the previous stop. There he managed to find the porter and persuaded him to sing the song as he copied down the words. Morris published it – with himself as writer – in 1940.

Its first recording was by the Selah Jubilee Singers on October 8, 1941. Sister Rosetta Tharpe also recorded it in 1941 with Lucky Millinder and His Orchestra.

A Related Bible Verse…

Psalms 23:4-6

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before
me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou hast anointed my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

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