He leadeth me beside still waters, He restoreth my soul.
Psalm 23:1–3
Words: Hiram O. Wiley, in the South Danvers Wizard, May 17, 1865.
Music: Zennor Frederick C. Maker (1844–1927) (🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tune:
If you know where to get a good photo of Wiley or Maker (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
He leads us on by paths we did not know.
Upward He leads us, tho’ our steps be slow,
Though oft we faint and falter on the way,
Though storms and darkness
Oft obscure the day;
Yet when the clouds are gone
We know He leads us on.
He leads us on through the unquiet years;
Past all our dream-lands,
Hopes, and doubts, and fears
He guides our steps.
Through all the tangled maze
Of sin, of sorrow,
And o’erclouded days
We know His will is done,
And still He leads us on.
And He, at last, after the weary strife,
After the restless fever we call life,
After the dreariness, the aching pain,
The wayward struggles
Which have proved in vain,
After our toils are past—
Will give us rest at last.