his deeds were never published for the public the things he did were never done for show his name was never printed in the paper until about two days ago he only filed a short form for his taxes no one asked him how he felt about the war he always had a good word for his neighbor now his good words won t be heard anymore and through the rain i heard the choir singing nearer my god to thee through the mist i saw some children crying and i felt nearer my god to thee his table was never full of plenty his silverware was never the real thing but the tears on the faces of his family were just as real as if he were a king the preacher said he d always been a good man but preachers love to throw that phrase around but the tears i tasted gave his words new meaning watching old friends putting daddy in the ground and through the rain i heard the choir singing nearer my god to thee through the mist i saw some children crying and i felt nearer my god to thee nearer my god to thee 