<Tr> <Th> Meter </Th> <Td> 7.6. 7.6 with refrain </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Melody </Th> <Td> "Near the Cross" by William Howard Doane </Td> </Tr> <P> "Near the Cross", alternatively titled "Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross" or "In the Cross", is a Christian hymn written by Fanny Crosby and published in 1869 . </P> <P> The tune was composed by William Howard Doane before Crosby wrote the lyrics . The song is in F major and time . It remains one of Crosby's best - known hymns and has been translated into several languages, including German, Russian, Haitian Creole, and Spanish . </P>

Who wrote jesus keep me near the cross