It’s been a while since we’ve posted a song of the week here let alone one from the Gospel genre. As chance would have it, this afternoon my random iTunes mix turned up an old favorite of mine ever since I bought the CD back during my senior year of college. Accordingly, this long delayed Pax Plena song of the week is brought to you courtesy of country/gospel music artist Randy Travis and is titled, Just a Closer Walk with Thee.

Written sometime during the early 20th century, Just a Closer Walk with Thee became a classic Negro Spiritual and was widely circulated as a Dixieland standard which would become a rallying point for poor blacks in the Mississippi Delta. The song melds elements of blues and country to create a sound that is both uplifting and plaintive. I won’t bore you with futher analysis. It really is a song that speaks for itself. Belows is the performance by Randy Travis. Lyrics follow after the jump.

Just a Closer Walk with Thee

I am weak but Thou art strong
Jesus keep me from all wrong
I’ll be satisfied as long as I walk
Dear Lord, close to Thee.

Just a closer walk with Thee
Grant it Jesus, is my plea
Daily walkin’ close to Thee
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

Through this world of toils and snares
If I falter Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.

Just a closer walk with Thee
Grant it Jesus, is my plea
Daily walkin’ close to Thee
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

When my feeble life is o’er
Time for me will be no more
Guide me gently, safely o’er
To Thy kingdom dear Lord, to Thy shore.

Just a closer walk with Thee
Grant it Jesus, is my plea
Daily walkin’ close to Thee
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.