Voices United ‎#640

640. Lead, Kindly LIght

1 Lead, kindly light, amid the 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.

Text Information

• First Line: Lead, kindly light, amid the encircling gloom
• Title: Lead, Kindly LIght
• Author: John Henry Newman (1833)
• Meter: 10 4 10 4 10 10
• Publication Date: 1996
• Topic: The Church in the World: Commitment: Pilgrimage; Commitment; Humility; Light; Pilgrimage and Conflict; Supplication; Temptation; Trust; Venture
• Notes: Alt tune: SANDON

Tune Information

• Name: LUX BENIGNA
• Composer: John Bacchus Dykes (1865)
• Meter: 10 4 10 4 10 10
• Key: A♭ Major