Commonest version of the
English translation of the
Welsh hymn Arglwydd, arwain trwy’r anialwch by
William Williams and translated by his brother,
Peter Williams. (This version is based on his 1772 translation, for
Hymns on Various Subjects.) This is one of the all-time most famous
Welsh hymns, beloved of the
Welsh Male Voice Choirs from the
Rhondda and surrounding valleys. The tune most often heard is
Cwn Rhondda, but
Caersalem and
Pilgrimage are also used. There may be repeated lines at the end of each verse, depending on which tune is used.
Guide me, O thou great Redeemer,
Pilgrim though this barren land;
I am weak, but thou art mighty;
Hold me with thy powerful hand;
Bread of heaven,
Feed me now and evermore.
Open now the crystal fountain,
Whence the healing stream doth flow;
Let the fiery cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through;
Strong Deliverer,
Be thou still my Strength and Shield.
When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside;
Bear me through the swelling current;
Land me safe on Canaan's side;
Songs of praises,
I will ever give to thee.
Peter Williams' original translation, from which elements (notably the first line of verse 1 and the third line of verse 4) are often imported into the common version above.
Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah,
Pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but Thou art mighty;
Hold me with Thy powerful hand.
Bread of heaven,
Feed me till I want no more.
Open now the crystal fountain,
Where the living waters flow;
Let the river of salvation,
Follow all the desert through.
Strong Deliverer,
Be Thou still my Strength and Shield.
Lord, I trust Thy mighty power,
Wondrous are Thy works of old;
Thou deliver’st Thine from thralldom,
Who for naught themselves had sold:
Thou didst conquer,
Sin, and Satan and the grave.
When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside;
Death of death and Hell's destruction,
Land me safe on Canaan’s side.
Songs of praises,
I will ever give to Thee.
Musing on my habitation,
Musing on my heav’nly home,
Fills my soul with holy longings:
Come, my Jesus, quickly come;
Vanity is all I see;
Lord, I long to be with Thee!
Everything Hymnal