Verse > Anthologies > James and Mary Ford, eds. > Every Day in the Year
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James and Mary Ford, eds.  Every Day in the Year.  1902.
 
June 16
Lead, Kindly Light
By John Henry, Cardinal Newman (1801–1890)
 
          This well-known and beautiful hymn was written by Cardinal Newman while crossing the Mediterranean, June 16, 1833, long before his secession from the English Church.

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        5
The distant scene; one step enough for me.
 
I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou
        Should’st lead me on;
I loved to choose and see my path; but now
        Lead Thou me on:        10
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        15
        The night is gone:
And with the morn those angle-faces smile,
Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile.
 
 
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