Composer

:

Charles Henry Purday

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

3:18

"Lead, kindly Light" is a hymn composed by John Henry Newman, with music composed by Charles Henry Purday. The hymn was written in 1833, during a time of great personal turmoil for Newman. He was traveling by ship from Sicily to England when a storm hit, causing the ship to be stranded for several weeks. During this time, Newman wrote the hymn as a prayer for guidance and comfort. The hymn was first published in 1836, and has since become one of the most popular hymns in the English-speaking world. It has been set to music by several composers, but Purday's setting is perhaps the most well-known. The hymn is divided into three verses, each of which is set to the same melody. The first verse begins with the words "Lead, kindly Light, amid th'encircling gloom, lead Thou me on!" The second verse continues with the plea for guidance, and the third verse ends with a prayer for peace and rest. Purday's setting of the hymn is characterized by its simplicity and elegance. The melody is gentle and flowing, with a sense of calm and reassurance. The harmonies are straightforward and unobtrusive, allowing the beauty of the melody to shine through. Overall, "Lead, kindly Light" is a hymn of great comfort and hope, expressing the human desire for guidance and protection in times of darkness and uncertainty. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its timeless message of faith and trust in a higher power.

More....