Lead Gently, Lord, And Slow
A Hymn: After Reading "Lead Kindly Light"
Poem written in standard English, by Paul Laurence Dunbar,
with MP3
Audio Reading by Rev. Bill McGinnis
MP3 reading at
http://www.paullaurencedunbar.net/leadgentlylordandslow.mp3
By Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906)
Lead gently, Lord, and slow,
For oh, my steps are weak,
And ever as I go,
Some soothing sentence speak;
That I may turn my face
Through doubt's obscurity
Toward thine abiding-place,
E'en tho' I cannot see.
For lo, the way is dark;
Through mist and cloud I grope,
Save for that fitful spark,
The little flame of hope.
Lead gently, Lord, and slow,
For fear that I may fall;
I know not where to go
Unless I hear thy call.
My fainting soul doth yearn
For thy green hills afar;
So let thy mercy burn--
My greater, guiding star!
# # #
MP3 Reading by Rev. Bill McGinnis, with new hymn tune,
http://www.paullaurencedunbar.net/leadgentlylordandslow-song.mp3
(This is the absolute first time this melody was expressed in any
form. I turned the recorder on as soon as I heard the melody in my mind,
so you will hear it as it was being created. Feb. 24, 2007)
. . . and here is the poem which inspired Dunbar . . .
LEAD, KINDLY LIGHT - John H. Newman, 1801-1890 - Public Domain
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 pow'r has blessed 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!
Amen.
