Scripture Verse

Lead me, O Lord, in Thy righteousness. Psalm 5:8

Introduction

Words: Ger­trude A. Flo­ry, in Sow­ing and Reap­ing, ed­it­ed by John H. Kurz­en­kna­be (Har­ris­burg, Penn­syl­van­ia: J. H. Kurz­en­kna­be & Sons, 1889), page 168.

Music: Will­iam Bee­ry (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Flo­ry or Bee­ry (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

Take my hand and lead me, Fa­ther,
Thro’ life’s stormy pilgrimage;
Let Thy light shine brighter, Fa­ther,
On its dark, mysterious page.
For I find my feet oft straying
From the path of truth and right;
Feel the need of Thy protection,
And Thy light to shine more bright.

Semi Chorus

Take my hand, take my hand,
For I cannot see the way;
Take my hand, take my hand,
For I cannot see the way.

Guide me, guide me
There to live through endless day;
Guide me, guide me
There to live through endless day.

For the road is rough and stony,
And I cannot see the way;
Yet, if Thou will deign to guide me,
With Thine own resplendent ray,
I can ne­ver, ne­ver stumble,
But shall walk close by Thy side.
With a love so pure and trusting,
That no sin can e’er divide.

Semi Chorus & Refrain

Hold my hand in Thine, O Fa­ther,
Till I reach the pearly gates;
There I’ll leave my cross and bur­den,
For my star-gemmed crown awaits.
Then I’ll sing in strains of rapture,
In the light of perfect day;
Thou didst deign to guide me, Fa­ther,
And hast led me all the way.

Semi Chorus & Refrain