Gently, Lord! O gently lead us Through this lonely vale of tears; Through the changes Thou'st decreed us, Till our last great change appears. When temptation's darts assail us, When in dev'ous paths we stray, Let Thy goodness never fail us, Lead us in Thy perfect way. In the hour of pain and anguish, In the hour when death draws near, Suffer not our hearts to languish, Suffer not our souls to fear; And, when mortal life is ended, Bid us in Thy arms to rest Till, by angel bands attended, We awake among the blest.