Lead Kindly Light : Wells Cathedral Choir

The choir of Wells Cathedral sing the beautiful hymn Lead Kindly Light with words by John Henry Newman.

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 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!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Lead
• Kindly
• Light
• Wells
• Cathedral
• Choir
• Hymn
• Choral

[pjdonagh]

Newman ....mmm...such a controversial but immensley stimulating person. One of the great Victorian now alas sadly forgotten.

Thanks for this favourite especially as it is so very well (no pun intended) sung.

[drwestbury]

Malcolm Archer directing at his best.  Winchester College (Quiristers) now have the pleasure of his direction.

[mammyoriordan]

@pjdonagh - I'm just watching a Mass in Birmingham where he is being beatified. Not forgotten! - Blessings - Rene

[Gatltonian]

Newman's text is deeply moving and this melody is definitely the best setting. The singing is magnificently responsive to the text. Superb in every detail.

[JimmyBoi2]

Norwegian film, The Other Side of Sunday, has a Norwegian version of this played and sung by one of the major characters in a heartbreaking manner...

[lexscar1]

Wells, probably the best Cathedral choir in the world.

[Mervyn691]

The breadth and depth of this song expresses the breadth of the man (now Blessed) Newman and his depth of his anguish. May he pray for all who agonize in life's situations.

Mervyn691

[LemainDavid]

Thank you. Much appreciated :)

[choirboyfromhell1]

Sandon...what a lovely tune.

[angelgoyim]

@iykeman007 Why does the late Cardinal, of blessed memory, need to pray for you? Why not ask our Blessed Lord and God Jesu?

[choirboyfromhell1]

@malcmalone Thanks.just found it in Common Praise, #495!

[Arimathea22]

Thank You Lord. This lovely hymn brings me such strength