Take Thou My Hand, O Father

600 Take Thou My Hand, O Father

1 Take thou my hand and lead me;
   stay by my side
   til in thy joy eternal
   I may abide.
   Alone I will not wander
   one single day.
   Be thou my true companion
   and with me stay.

2 O cover with thy mercy
   my poor, weak heart!
   Let ev’ry thought rebellious
   from me depart.
   Permit thy child to linger
   here at thy feet,
   and fully trust thy goodness
   with faith complete.

3 Though naught of thy great power
   may move my soul,
   with thee through night and darkness
   I reach the goal.
   Take, then, my hand and lead me,
   stay by my side,
   and in thy joy eternal
   I shall abide.
                         Julie Katherina Hausmann
                         Tr. by Herman Brückner
                         Hymns for the Family of God