Will L. Thompson, lyricist and composer, was born in East Liverpool, Ohio, in 1847. When, early in his career, a commercial publisher refused to buy his songs, he established his own publishing business in East Liverpool, which, by the 1880s, became one of the most successful in the county, expanding to include sales of pianos, organs, & sheet music.
“Lead Me Gently Home, Father” is one of his earliest hymns, written in 1879. It has been widely recorded by such artists as George Beverly Shea, The Sons of the Pioneers, Johnny Cash, and the Gaithers. Other hymns written by Thompson include “Jesus Is All the World to Me,” “Softly and Tenderly,” and “There’s a Great Day Coming.”
We encourage you to pick up your instrument and play and sing along with us on this great old gospel hymn.
Lead Me Gently Home, Father
Lyrics and music by Will L. Thompson, 1879
Lead me gently home, Father,
Lead me gently home,
When life’s toils are ended
And parting days have come;
Sin no more shall tempt me,
Ne’er from Thee I’ll roam,
If Thou’lt only lead me, Father,
Lead me gently home.
Lead me gently home, Father,
Lead me gently home, Father;
Lest I fall upon the wayside,
Lead me gently home.
Lead me gently home, Father,
Lead me gently home,
In life’s darkest hours, Father,
When life’s troubles come;
Keep my feet from wand’ring,
Lest from Thee I roam,
Lest I fall upon the wayside,
Lead me gently home.
Lead me gently home, Father,
Lead me gently home,
In temptations hour, Father,
When sore trials come;
Be Thou near to keep me,
Take me as Thine own,
For I cannot live without Thee,
Lead me gently home.