Guide me, O Thou gracious Savior

During the 1700s, the ideas from the Enlightenment and rationalism were taking root across Europe and Britain and spilling into the American colonies. Part of the resulting consequences was the decline of religious commitment. Thankfully, just about the same time, a number of zealous and passionate preachers appeared on the scene and brought about what is known as the Great Awakening. Men such as George Whitefield, the Wesley brothers, and Jonathan Edwards helped to rekindle a renewal and commitment to a personal relationship with God and to the Church. As these events were taking place, a young man in Wales, heard a sermon preached in a church cemetery. The message had such an impact on him that he turned from pursuing medicine to becoming an itinerant preacher himself. During the next 40 years plus, William Williams traveled on horseback around different parts of the country preaching and singing his way to great crowds across the land. Along with the great English hymn writers, Williams composed about 800 hymns, the best one remember, “Guide me O Thou Great Jehovah.” The song compares our Christian life and walk to the wanderings of the children of Israel. It became a favorite in Wales even being considered as something of an unofficial national anthem. During World War I, Welch soldiers in the trenches would at times sing the hymn and opposing German soldiers would on occasion pick up the singing as well. The hymn was sung at Queen Elizabeth’s Diamonds Jubilee Celebration, Princess Diana‘s funeral, and the wedding of Prince William to Katherine Middleton.

As President James Garfield lay dying, his wife also comforted him as she sang the words to him.

(by Louis E. Codington)

Better sung to the Welsh tune Cwn Rhondda.

Per "Great Songs of Faith" by Brown & Norton - The author, William Williams preached and sang throughout Wales. "He sang Wales into Piety". He was the poet laureate of the Welsch revival. Soon all Wales was singing their way to the coal mines and soccer matches. And their favorite hymn was this marching song by one of their own.

The original has 5 verses and a different tune.

Thank you Sam Anumihe. This site is great - even allowing me to build my personal album BUT, quite a few lines have been altered from their classical settings! Still great work but some are not used to what we know!

This is a bit different from the classical lines we were taught, can someone sing it for me?

It is soul inspiring and searching hymn.