Lead, Kindly Light (Sandon)

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Lead, Kindly Light (Sandon)

Text by: John Henry Newman 1833
Tune: Sandon by: Charles Henry Purday 1860
Source: Episcopal 1940 Hymnal #430
Methodist 1939 Hymnal #514
Catholic 1998 Hymn Book #234

Here is my complete recording of the Episcopal 1940 Hymnbook:

1 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.

2 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!

3 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!

4 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.

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[sidpheasant]

Two other tunes for "Lead, Kindly Light" absolutely fall flat (for me), but this one is stunningly brilliant and beautiful and moving.
Very little can be found on Charles Henry Purday who went bankrupt as a London music publisher 3 years before the above came out (in 1860).
He died in 1885, was associated with the Church of Scotland though was London-based and Folkestone-born.
He sang at Queen Victoria's Coronation and published "50 Songs for Young People" in 1867.
Would love to know how the Holy Spirit moved him to do the above, but probably we shall never know!!!

[stephenfarthing]

We really need something to hope for that gives that back to us all. And even if it is this way - even under these most testing of times and circumstances. Thanks for this version of the hymn and indeed. It is a principle of hope that might just do so. Thank you Andrew and take care.

[allprotreecareservice]

This video seems to be played in the key of G though the sheet music is in the key of Eb.