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