Going Home // Dvorak // Parks

The library's J.A. PARKS information once again engages us in the wider world.

A few days ago I commented on how our J.A. Parks pages were found by people "far away."

Today's e-mail contains another query -- this one is an offer to fill one of the "gaps" in our collection of J.A. Parks's publications.

Since I don't read music, most of J.A. Parks' output is essentially a closed book for me unless the music is an adaptation of a piece I already know.

For example, Parks used the Largo from Dvorak's New World Symphony as the melody for several pieces. You may know the tune as "Going Home."

Here are Parks' lyrics for "Take My Hand," published in 1927:

Father Dear, bend Thine ear, hear me while I pray,
Let me bide near Thy side, lest my feet should stray.
Shadows deep, 'round me creep, dangers near me lie;
Near to Thee, shadows flee, guide me with Thine eye;
Guard I pray, night and day, till my feet shall stand,
Safe at last, danger past, Father, take my hand.

Grant, I pray, strength each day, make me strong to do;
To my heart, grace impart, all the journey through.
Close to Thee would I be, till my work is done,
Till my feet tread the street, of life's setting sun;
Be Thou near, guide and cheer, when I reach the strand,
Danger past, home at last, Father take my hand.