Lead Kindly Light
Daniel Beck Lyrics

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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
Shouldest lead me on.
I love 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 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!
Lead Thou me on!
Lead me on!

Lead me on!
Ooh ooh ooh

Overall Meaning

In Daniel Beck's song "Lead Kindly Light," the singer is lost and unsure of his path in life, asking for guidance and reassurance from a higher power. He is humbled and admits that he was once confident in his ability to choose his own path but now needs help. The darkness of the night represents the uncertainty and fear of the unknown, but the singer trusts that as long as he is led step by step, he will eventually reach his desired destination. He is comforted by the belief that a loving force has always been guiding him and will continue to do so.

The lyrics mirror the struggles many people face at different points in their lives. It's easy to feel lost and alone, especially when the future seems unclear. This song provides a message of hope and comfort, suggesting that no matter how uncertain things may seem, the singer can find solace in the belief that they are being guided by a force larger than themselves.

Line by Line Meaning

Lead, kindly Light,
I ask for your guidance, merciful Light,

Amid th' encircling gloom;
In the midst of darkness that surrounds me,

Lead Thou me on!
Please guide me forward!

The night is dark,
It is a very dark night,

And I am far from home;
And I am very far from where I belong,

Lead Thou me on!
Please guide me forward!

Keep Thou my feet;
Direct my steps and keep me from harm,

I do not ask to see
I don't need to see,

The distant scene -
The far-off future that lies ahead,

One step enough for me.
Just one step forward is enough for now.

I was not ever thus,
I wasn't always like this,