Lead Gently, Lord
SATB and Organ. A simple piece setting the wonderful poem by Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906), an African-American poet, novelist, and playwright of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. If you are looking for an Epiphany text from an African-American poet (MLK weekend) this might be just right.
Lead gently, Lord, and slow,
For oh, my steps are weak,
And ever as I go,
Some soothing sentence speak;
That I may turn my face
Through doubt's obscurity
toward thine abiding-place,
E'en tho' I cannot see.
For lo, the way is dark;
Through mist and cloud I grope,
Save for that fitful spark,
The little flame of hope.
Lead gently, Lord, and slow,
For fear that I may fall;
I know not where to go
Unless I hear thy call.
My fainting soul doth yearn
For thy green hills afar;
So let thy mercy burn-
My greater, guiding star!