1. यीशु रख सलीब के पास चश्मा जहाँ बहता
मिलता मुफ़्त जो सभी को कलवरी से निकलता
क्रूस पर खास, क्रूस पर खास होगी मेरी नज़र
जब तक मेरी रूह खुश हो जाएगी आसमान पर
2. क्रूस पर खास मैं गुनाहगार प्यार को देख खुश हुआ
वहाँ दुःख मुसीबत में मेरा मुंजी मुआ
3. क्रूस के पास ऐ बर्रे खास देखूँ तेरे दर्द को
चलूँ जब मैं रोज़-ब-रोज़, पनाह खास सलीब हो
4. क्रूस के पास मैं ठहरूँगा इस उम्मीद को रख के
की सुनहरे वतन में पहुँचूँगा इस धार से
Yeeshu rakh saleeb ke paas
Chashma jahaan bahata
Milata muft jo sabhee ko
Kalavaree se nikalata
Kroos par khaas, kroos par khaas
Hogee meree nazar
Jab tak meree rooh khush ho
Jaegee aasamaan par
2. Kroos par khaas main gunaahagaar
Pyaar ko dekh khush hua
Vahaan duhkh museebat mein
Mera munjee mua
3. Kroos ke paas ai barre khaas
Dekhoon tere dard ko
Chaloon jab main roz-ba-roz,
Panaah khaas saleeb ho
4. Kroos ke paas main thaharoonga
Is ummeed ko rakh ke
Ki sunahare vatan mein
Pahunchoonga is dhaar se
Original song in English|. Jesus, keep me near the cross;
Original Lyrics: Fanny Crosby (1869)
Original Tune: William Howard Doane
Hindi Translation: Isaac Fieldbrave
Francis Jane Crosby wrote more than 9,000 hymns, some of which are among the most popular in every Christian denomination. She wrote so many that she was forced to use pen names lest the hymnals be filled with her name above all others. And, for most people, the most remarkable thing about her was that she had done so in spite of her blindness.
"I think it is a great pity that the Master did not give you sight when he showered so many other gifts upon you," remarked one well-meaning preacher.
Fanny Crosby responded at once, as she had heard such comments before. "Do you know that if at birth I had been able to make one petition, it would have been that I was born blind?" said the poet, who had been able to see only for her first six weeks of life. "Because when I get to heaven, the first face that shall ever gladden my sight will be that of my Savior."
Blinded by a quack
Born in Putnam County, New York, Crosby became ill within two months. Unfortunately, the family doctor was away, and another man—pretending to be a certified doctor—treated her by prescribing hot mustard poultices to be applied to her eyes. Her illness eventually relented, but the treatment left her blind. When the doctor was revealed to be a quack, he disappeared. A few months later, Crosby's father died. Her mother was forced to find work as a maid to support the family, and Fanny was mostly raised by her Christian grandmother.
Her love of poetry began early—her first verse, written at age 8, echoed her lifelong refusal to feel sorry for herself:
Oh, what a happy soul I am,
although I cannot see!
I am resolved that in this world
Contented I will be.
How many blessings I enjoy
That other people don't,
To weep and sigh because I'm blind
I cannot, and I won't!
While she enjoyed her poetry, she zealously memorized the Bible. Memorizing five chapters a week, even as a child she could recite the Pentateuch, the Gospels, Proverbs, the Song of Solomon, and many psalms chapter and verse.
Her mother's hard work paid off. Shortly before her fifteenth birthday, Crosby was sent to the recently founded New York Institute for the Blind, which would be her home for 23 years: 12 as a student, 11 as a teacher. She initially indulged in her own poetry and was called upon to pen verses for various occasions. In time the principal asked her to avoid such "distractions" in favor of her general instruction. "We have no right to be vain in the presence of the Owner and Creator of all things," he said.
English Lyrics Available
1. Jesus, keep me near the cross;
there is a precious fountain,
free to all, a healing stream,
flows from Calvary's mountain.
Refrain:
In the cross, in the cross,
be my glory ever,
till my raptured soul shall find
rest beyond the river.
2. Near the cross, a trembling soul,
love and mercy found me;
there the bright and morning star
sheds its beams around me.
3. Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
bring its scenes before me;
help me walk from day today
with its shadow o'er me.
4. Near the cross I'll watch and wait,
hoping, trusting ever,
till I reach the golden strand
just beyond the river.
