LEAD Thou on, and we shall follow;
Safe Thy path must ever be:
We have heard Thee, Saviour, calling,
And, Thine own, would follow Thee:
We will follow where Thou leadest,
Be it o’er the crested wave;
Though the tempest rage around us,
Able, Lord, art Thou to save.
Lead Thou on: we trace Thy footsteps
Marking the appointed way;
Deeply hast Thou left them printed,
Lest Thy loved ones go astray.
We can follow as we see Thee
Tread the arid waste, alone;
Sure, if Thou art gone before us,
Smoothed must be the sharpest stone.
Lead Thou on: we hear Thee call us,
Each by name, to follow Thee;
When the night is at its darkest,
Still Thou sayest, “Follow me.”
When the thorns and briars surround us,
‘Tis Thy voice the way beguiles;
Sweetest flowers—an inner border—
Find we in Thy tender smiles.
Lead Thou on, and we shall follow;
Suited strength Thou wilt supply.
Closer draw us, ever closer,
For the guidance of Thine eye;
Closer still, O holy Saviour!
Would we follow in the way;
Thine the path, where’er it lead us,
Shining to the perfect day.
Lead Thou on, Thou chosen Shepherd:
Thine the voice we list to hear:
Pressing on, ‘mid hostile legions;
Fearing nought, for Thou art near.
Onward, onward, would we follow,
Nevermore, through grace, to roam;
Past the stranger-scenes of sorrow,
We have Guidance Rest, and Home!