Lead me, dear teacher every day, in ways that I should go,

Point out fair meadows to me, where lovely flowers grow,

Take my little hand in yours and hold it very tight,

Turn my face to beauty and my heart to loving right.

No steps are so untrained as yet, my path is not quite true,

I marvel at your many skills and I trust my all to you,

My hands are still so feeble, they drop and spill, and break,

Be patient with my clumsiness for little children’s sake.

My words are few and feeble, nor can I always say

The things I mean to tell you, in any ordered way,

But when you listen kindly, my courage grows apace,

I’m almost eloquent at times, encouraged by your face.

Please let me stand beside you – its good to be quite near,

It gives one self-assurance to know that you are here,

To know that you’ll not laugh at me when I’m bold or shy,

Fills all my soul with confidence and there’s nothing I won’t try.

You’ll turn my heart to lovely things – so easily I’m led,

My destiny is being mapped, when you smile or nod your head,

Let’s do a heap of loving, as we journey on our way,

Be generous, be prodigal, for loving me will pay.

Shut from this sweet picture, the vulgar and the base,

All Heaven is reflected in your young or wrinkled face,

Do walk close, so close beside me, my little hand in yours,

I need your learning to be sure, but I need your loving more.

– Author Unknown