by John Henry Newman (1801 - 1890)
Lead, Kindly Light See base text
Language: English
Lead, Kindly Light, amidst the circling 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. 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! 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! Meantime, along the narrow rugged path, Thyself hast trod, Lead, Saviour, lead me home in childlike faith, Home to my God. To rest forever after earthly strife In the calm light of everlasting life.
Composition:
- Set to music by David Conte (b. 1955), "Lead, Kindly Light", published 1998 [ soprano, organ ], from Songs of Consolation, no. 3, Boston, E. C. Schirmer Music Company
Text Authorship:
- by John Henry Newman (1801 - 1890), "The Pillar and the Cloud", written 1833
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- SPA Spanish (Español) (Miguel Antonio Caro) , "Invocación a la divina luz", appears in Traducciones poéticas, Bogotá, Librería Americana, calle XIV, n. 77, 79, first published 1889
Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , George Miller [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2018-10-19
Line count: 24
Word count: 165