The Cyber Hymnal ‎#3610

3610. Lead, Kindly Light

1. Lead, kindly Light, amid th’encircling gloom,
lead Thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home;
lead Thou me on!
Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step enough for me.

2. I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou
shouldst lead me on;
I loved to choose and see my path; but now
lead Thou me on!
I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will. Remember not past years!

3. So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still
will lead me on.
O’er moor and fen, o’er crag and torrent, till
the night is gone,
And with the morn those angel faces smile, which I
Have loved long since, and lost awhile!

4. Meantime, along the narrow rugged path,
Thyself hast trod,
Lead, Savior, lead me home in childlike faith,
home to my God.
To rest forever after earthly strife
In the calm light of everlasting life.

Text Information

• First Line: Lead, kindly Light, amid th'encircling gloom
• Title: Lead, Kindly Light
• Author (vs. 1-3): John Henry Newman (1833)
• Author (vs. 4): Edward H. Bickersteth, Jr.
• Language: English
• Source: Hymnal Companion
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: This hymn was sung at the funeral of American president Calvin Coolidge, January 7, 1933, at the Edwards Congregational Church, Northampton, Massachusetts. Alternate tune: SANDON, Charles H. Purday, 1857

Tune Information

• Name: LUX BENIGNA
• Composer: John Bacchus Dykes (1867)
• Incipit: 51221 61651 71251
• Key: A♭ Major
• Copyright: Public Domain