GOSPEL >> Consecration
SDAH 317
King of my life, I crown Thee now,
Thine shall the glory be;
Lest I forget Thy thorn crowned brow,
Lead me to Calvary.
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Hymn Spotlight: Lead Me to Calvary
Jennie Evelyn Hussey, a quiet Quaker poet born in 1874 in Henniker, New Hampshire, penned this reflective hymn that draws us to the foot of the cross. Growing up on her family’s farm, she began writing verse early in life and continued until her death in 1958. “Lead Me to Calvary,” first published in New Songs of Praise and Power No. 3 (1921), expresses a deep longing to not only remember Christ’s suffering, but to live a life of humility and sacrifice in response. The tune by William J. Kirkpatrick, known for his rich legacy of gospel melodies, matches the text’s tender plea with a warm, meditative quality. As we sing, may we be drawn not only to remember the crown of thorns—but to crown Him Lord of our lives.
📖 Reference: Feel free to share but please cite hymnsforworship.org when reproducing.
Introductions for Sabbath School Song Service (based on specific lesson quarterlies):
Jennie Evelyn Hussey was born February 8, 1874, at Henniker, New Hampshire. She lived on the same farm where four generations of her Quaker family had lived. Not much is known regarding Jennie but that she had a natural gift for poetry and began writing verse as a young child. She died in 1958 at Concord, New Hampshire.
This devotional hymn about the sufferings of our Lord was first published in New Songs of Praise and Power, No. 3, 1921. SDAH has 11 tunes by William J Kirkpatrick (1838-1921; see Biographies).
📖 Reference: Companion to the Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal by Wayne Hooper and Edward E. White. Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1988.
Text
1
King of my life, I crown Thee now,
Thine shall the glory be;
Lest I forget Thy thorn crowned brow,
Lead me to Calvary.
Refrain
Lest I forget Gethsemane,
Lest I forget Thine agony;
Lest I forget Thy love for me,
Lead me to Calvary.
2
Show me the tomb where Thou wast laid,
Tenderly mourned and wept;
Angels in robes of light arrayed
Guarded Thee whilst Thou slept.
3
Let me like Mary, through the gloom,
Come with a gift to Thee;
Show to me now the empty tomb,
Lead me to Calvary.
4
May I be willing, Lord, to bear
Daily my cross for Thee;
Even Thy cup of grief to share,
Thou hast borne all for me.
Hymn Info
Biblical Information
(a) Matt 6:13, 27:29 (b) Mark 15:47; Matt 28: 2, 3 (c) Luke 23:56; Matt 28:6 (d) Luke 9:23 (r) Matt 26:36
Author
Jennie E. Hussey (1874-1958)
Year Published
1921
Copyright Information
Copyright 1921. renewal 1949 extended by Hope Publishing Co., Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Metrical Number
C.M. Ref.
Composer
William J. Kirkpatrick (1838-1921)
Year Composed
1921
