Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer: words for a funeral order of service
3 verses, 18 lines. William Williams (died 1791); English by Peter Williams (died 1796). Out of copyright in the UK.
Put these words straight into an A5 order of service booklet.
Add to my order of serviceGuide me, O thou great Redeemer,
Pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but thou art mighty;
Hold me with thy powerful hand:
Bread of heaven,
Feed me till I want no more.
Open now the crystal fountain
Whence the healing stream doth flow;
Let the fire and cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through:
Strong Deliverer,
Be thou still my strength and shield.
When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside;
Death of death, and hell's destruction
Land me safe on Canaan's side:
Songs of praises
I will ever give to thee!
When sung to Cwm Rhondda the last line of each verse is repeated.
At a glance
| Verses | 3 |
|---|---|
| Lines | 18 |
| Words | 99 |
| Fits one A5 page at 11 pt | Yes, about 61% of the page |
| Fits one A5 page at 12.5 pt (larger print) | Yes, about 70% of the page |
| Words | William Williams (died 1791); English by Peter Williams (died 1796) |
| Usual tune | Cwm Rhondda (John Hughes, died 1932) |
| UK copyright in the words | Out of copyright Each writer died more than 70 years ago. |
| Text taken from | The Wikipedia article on Cwm Rhondda, which quotes these three verses (line capitals added here) |
Hymn books differ in small ways: a word here, a comma there, sometimes a verse left out. Check these words against the hymn book or sheet your organist will use, and edit them in the builder if they differ.
Questions
- Can I print the words of Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer in a funeral order of service in the UK?
- The Welsh hymn is by William Williams, who died in 1791. The English words are by Peter Williams, who died in 1796. UK copyright in a writer's words lasts no longer than 70 years after the end of the year the writer died, so these words are out of copyright. This is information, not legal advice.
- How many verses does Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer have?
- The version on this page has 3 verses and 18 lines (99 words).
- Does Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer fit on one A5 page?
- At 11 point type on an A5 page with 14 mm margins: yes, it takes about 61% of the page. At 12.5 point: yes, about 70% of the page.
This page gives information, not legal advice. Facts were checked on 10 November 2026.