There, in the distance--a pillar of fire

Rumbling like thunder in a dream

It roars among the pines along the lines

Of the great Mississippi


It scatters all the cattle, and rattles the trees

It skids across the prairie by the moon

It sings like a choir, this pillar of fire

And the name of God is the burning tune


I can see it whirling, swirling, 

Spinning all around

Upward, onward, homeward bound

Oh, Jesus, lead me through the night,

Pillar of Fire


On through the passes of the mountains it goes

As bouldered and broken as my heart

I shiver and cry and I watch as it winds

To the deepest and the darkest parts


I can see it whirling, swirling,

Spinning all around

Now upward, onward, now homeward bound

Oh, Jesus, hold me through the night,

Pillar of Fire

Where, Oh Lord, are you leading?

I can get so scared in the night

My feet are cut and bleeding

With every step I feel less alive


Oh, but Pillar of Fire, you blazed this trail

You've been there every step along the road

From a barn in Bethlehem to Hell and back again

You blazed the trail that leads me home


I can see it whirling, swirling,

Spinning all around

Now upward, onward, now homeward bound

Oh, Jesus, hold me through the night,

Pillar of Fire


On to the ocean I follow it down

Where it sizzles and boils in the waves along the sound

Oh, Jesus, lead me to your shore

Pillar of Fire