Scripture Verse

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105

Introduction

portrait
Allen E. Cross (1864–1943)

Words: All­an E. Cross, 1920. Ec­ho­ing the 300th an­ni­ver­sa­ry of the Pil­grims’ voy­age to Am­eri­ca in the May­flow­er, this hymn was first sung at the In­ter­na­tion­al Coun­cil of Con­gre­ga­tion­al Church­es in the Old South Church, Bos­ton, Mas­sa­chu­setts, 1920. The words come from Pas­tor Ro­bin­son’s fare­well to the Pil­grims: The Lord hath more truth and light yet to break forth out of His Ho­ly Word.

Music: Tru­ro, from Psal­mo­dia Ev­an­ge­li­ca, by Tho­mas Will­iams, 1789 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

Lyrics

More light shall break from out Thy Word
For pil­grim fol­low­ers of the gleam,
Till, led by Thy free Spir­it, Lord,
We see and share the pil­grim dream.

What migh­ty hopes are in our care,
What ho­ly dreams of bro­ther­hood;
God of our fa­thers, help us dare
Their pass­ion for the com­mon good.

Wild roars the blast, the storm is high;
Above the storm are shin­ing still
The lights by which we live and die;
Our peace is ev­er in Thy will.

The an­cient stars, the an­cient faith,
Defend us till our voy­age is done;
Across the floods of fear and death
The May­flow­er still is sail­ing on.