Lead, Kindly Light

 

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.

I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou
     Should 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 hast 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!

 

"Lead, Kindly Light"  
John Henry Newman