Please give today to support Hymnary.org during one of only two fund drives we run each year. Each month, Hymnary serves more than 1 million users from around the globe, thanks to the generous support of people like you, and we are so grateful. 

Tax-deductible donations can be made securely online using this link.

Alternatively, you may write a check to CCEL and mail it to:
Christian Classics Ethereal Library, 3201 Burton SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546

211. Lead On

1 Ten thousand bright celestial lights
Adorn the eastern sky,
But one, and one alone, invites
The watcher's wistful eye.
Lead on, lead on, lead on, thou starry light,
Lead on, lead on the pilgrims thro' the night.

Chorus:
Bright orb of night, celestial gem,
The star of Bethlehem!
The darksome night will soon be gone,
Bright star, lead on, lead on!
Lead on, lead on, bright star, lead on!

2 O strange and wondrous orb of light,
Of all the hosts the gem,
Thy starry pathway thro' the night
Leads on to Bethlehem!
Lead on, lead on, lead on, thou starry light,
Lead on, lead on the pilgrims thro' the night. [Chorus]

3 Lo, now it rests--O can it be!
Above your lowly home!
O can it be that here has he,
The world's Redeemer, come?
Lead on, lead on, lead on, thou starry light,
Lead on, lead on the pilgrims thro' the night. [Chorus]

4 Farewell, farewell, thou gem of night,
Thy glory shall decline;
But with thy fading breaks the light
That shall forever shine!
Lead on, lead on, lead on, thou starry light,
Lead on, lead on the pilgrims thro' the night. [Chorus]

Text Information
First Line: Ten thousand bright celestial lights
Title: Lead On
Author: S. C. Kirk
Refrain First Line: Bright orb of night, celestial gem
Publication Date: 1904
Tune Information
Name: [Ten thousand bright celestial lights]
Composer: J. Lincoln Hall
Key: E♭ Major



Suggestions or corrections? Contact us