559 Christian Vocation and Pilgrimage

 

1. Lead us, heavenly Father,

lead us o’er the world’s tempestuous sea;

guard us, guide us, keep us, feed us,

for we have no help but thee,

yet possessing every blessing,

if our God our Father be.

 

2. Savior, breathe forgiveness o’er us,

all our weakness thou dost know;

thou didst tread this earth before us;

thou didst feel its keenest woe;

yet unfearing, persevering,

to thy passion thou didst go.

 

3. Spirit of our God, descending,

fill our hearts with heavenly joy;

love with every passion blending

pleasure that can never cloy;

thus provided, pardoned, guided,

nothing can our peace destroy.

 

Words: James Edmeston (1791-1867), alt.
Music: Dulce carmen, melody from An Essay on the Curch Plain Chant, 1782; adapt. Collection of Motetts or Antiphons, ca. 1840; harm. William Henry Monk (1823-1889)