The Story Behind “Lead, Kindly Light”

Lead, Kindly Light is a prayer in the form of a hymn that seeks comfort and guidance from God. I personally love this hymn, so I wrote my own piano arrangement and researched the history of the music:

*If you like my piano arrangement, download the free sheet music here!

History of Lead, Kindly Light

In 1833, religious poet/theologian John Henry Newman (1801-1890) was dying. Struck down with a horrible fever and bad homesickness while traveling in the Mediterranean, Newman desperately wished to return to England. Unfortunately, his ship was becalmed on his way home, and he became stranded in the Straits of Bonifacio It was here, while Newman felt most depressed, that he wrote the poem Lead, Kindly Light.

The hymn was first set to music and turned into a hymn in 1845 (ironically after Newman converted to Catholicism).

*Fun facts: Marion Wright sang Lead, Kindly Light at a hymn-singing gathering shortly before the Titanic hit the fatal iceberg in 1912, and this hymn provided an anthem of comfort for British soldiers in World War I.

Analysis

Lyrics

The words to this beautiful hymn are a prayer for guidance and comfort in times of trouble.

Lead, kindly Light, amid the 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 for 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.

Lead, Kindly Light provides comfort and reassurance that God leads when we are lost. It’s not a surprise that the poem received popularity after Newman wrote it; many can relate to the feeling of renewed hope after calling upon God for strength.

*Fun fact: The words to the hymn are based on the scriptures Exodus 13: 21-22:

And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:

He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.

Music

John Bacchus Dykes

Lead, Kindly Light – like most 19th-century hymns – has been set to many different tunes, the most famous one by John Bacchus Dykes (1823-1876):

Even though the lyrics are full of uncertainty, the simple melody, steady rhythms, and reassuring harmonies create a sense of security and warmth.

William Harris

This version was written by William Harris (1883-1973):

Harris’ music shifts between major and minor harmonies, which accompanies the doubt in the lyrics. The melody is not quite as “even” or predictable as Dykes’ version, though; the phrases in this version are much longer, and to me, it feels more like a prayerful anthem than a hymn.

Arthur Sullivan

And here’s a version by  Arthur Sullivan (184201900):

This version is the most like a prayer with its longing melody, slow rhythms, and slight dissonance. It’s reminiscent of Renaissance-style hymns with the moving lines interjected into the chorale-like structure.

Over the years, Lead, Kindly Light has been set to many different tunes. Which version do you like best?