This hymn was written in 1871 at a convention of businessmen just after the delegates heard the news of a nationwide bank panic in which many of them lost fortunes. The lyrics, by Erastus Johnson, are taken from Psalm 61:2–From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For more hymns performed by Nathan and Lyle and their friends and family down in Texas, see http://www.music-folk-play-hymns-com .