Starting forth on life’s rough way,
Father, guide them;
Oh! we know not what of harm
May be­tide them;
’Neath the sha­dow of Thy wing,
Father, hide them;
Waking, sleep­ing, Lord, we pray,
Go be­side them.

When in pray­er they cry to Thee,
Thou wilt hear them;
From the stains of sin and shame
Thou wilt clear them;
’Mid the quick­sands and the rock,
Thou wilt steer them;
In temp­ta­tion, trial, grief,
Be Thou near them.

Unto Thee we give them up—
Lord, re­ceive them;
In the world we know must be
Much to grieve them—
Many striv­ing oft and strong
To de­ceive them;
Trustful, in Thy hands of love
We must leave them.