Lord, be Thou unto me, I pray,
My blest companion day by day.
Be to me as my vital breath,
The One o'er all, in life, in death,
The One to whom my soul shall cling
In joy or sorrow, while I sing.

Sing of Thy love for such as I,
That led Thee to the cross to die;
To cleanse me from all sin and guilt,
By Thy most precious blood, thus spilt.
Oh, be to me my staff and stay,
My guard by night, my guide by day.

And let me not plan any thing
Apart from Thee, but I would bring
All things to Thee continually,
The things that are too hard for me;
From henceforth I'd no burden bear,
But cast on Thee my ev'ry care.

Helen McDowell