The hymn started life off as a poem by written by Saint John Henry Newman, an important yet controversial 19th century religious figure,in 1833. The poem 'Pillar of the Cloud', was inspired by Exodus 13:21-22 and was first published in the British Magazine in 1834.
The hymn was famously sung by surviving minors in the 1909 Durham Coalfield disaster as they sat in almost total darkness awaiting rescue. 168 men and boys lost their lives in the disaster, which was caused by two underground explosions.
The hymn is usually sung to the tune Sandon by Charles H. Purday.
Lead, Kindly Light, amidst 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 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!
Meantime, along the narrow rugged path,
Thyself hast trod,
Lead, Saviour, lead me home in childlike faith,
Home to my God.
To rest forever after earthly strife
In the calm light of everlasting life.