Your Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.
Psalm 119:105
Words: John H. Newman, 1833 (verses 1–3); Edward H. Bickersteth, Jr., Hymnal Companion verse 4.
Music: Lux Benigna John B. Dykes, 1861 (🔊 pdf nwc; male voices: 🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tune:
This hymn was sung at the funeral of American president Calvin Coolidge, January 7, 1933, at the Edwards Congregational Church, Northampton, Massachusetts.
While traveling in Italy as a young priest, Newman fell ill and stayed at Castle Giovanni almost three weeks. Finally, he was well enough continue his journey to Palermo:
Before starting from my inn, I sat down on my bed and began to sob bitterly. My servant, who had acted as my nurse, asked what ailed me. I could only answer,
I have a work to do in England.I was aching to get home, yet for want of a vessel I was kept at Palermo for three weeks.I began to visit the churches, and they calmed my impatience, though I did not attend any services. At last I got off in an orange boat, bound for Marseilles. We were becalmed for whole week in the Straits of Bonifacio, and it was there that I wrote the lines,
Lead, Kindly Light,which have since become so well known.
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
The distant scene; one step enough for me.
I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou
Shouldst lead me on;
I loved to choose and see my path; but now
Lead Thou me on!
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 the night is gone,
And with the morn those angel faces smile, which I
Have loved long since, and lost awhile!
Meantime, along the narrow rugged path,
Thyself hast trod,
Lead, Savior, lead me home in childlike faith,
Home to my God.
To rest forever after earthly strife
In the calm light of everlasting life.