Tuesday Afternoon Poems: "Gently Lead Us" by Octavius Winslow

Gently Lead Us

Gently, Lord, oh, gently lead us
Through vale of tears,
Though thou'st decreed us,
Till our last great change appears.

As temptation's darts assail us,
Or in devious paths we stray
Let thy goodness never fail us,
Lead us in thy perfect way.

In the hour of pain and anguish,
In the hour when death draws near
Suffer not our hearts to languish,
Suffer not our souls to fear.

As this mortal life is ended,
Bid us in thine arms to rest,
Till, by angel bands attended,
We awake among the blest.

Then, oh, crown us with thy blessing,
Through the triumphs of thy grace;
Then shall praises never ceasing
Echo through thy dwelling-place.

—Octavius Winslow