Shepherd Song (The Lord will be my shepherd, there is nothing I shall need) - Sexton

This setting of Psalm 23 was written by Irish composer and music-educator Bernard Sexton.

The un-named tune has a 3/4 time signature, and was originally published in the key of C. The first few notes of the melody in this key are CD E G cB ABA G. The tune uses techniques from Irish-traditional genres, giving it a haunting "celtic" feel - and to fit with this some of the phrasing is quite poetic, and requires careful preparation for performance:

eg "When I hunger, tired and weary, to green pastures, me he leads".

Sheet music is available for purchase and immediate download from Sheet Music Plus (link below) - it appears that this is the only way that this work has been published.

The Lord will be my shepherd, There is nothing I shall need. 1 The Lord will be my Shepherd, there is nothing I shall need. When I hunger, tired and weary, to green pastures, me he leads. When my spirits fall he brings me to the waters fresh and calm. Loving shepherd, gentle master, caring tend-er of this lamb. 2 As a shepherd knows the right path, so he puts me on the way. On the straight road, safe and careless, never chance that I will stray. Should I walk in field of darkness, no evil would I fear. With the crook and staff he comforts, and his presence, always near. 3 Surely goodness, surely kindness, shall ever follow me. God, provider, God, protector, shall always present be. In his house I’ll dwell forever, at his right hand I will stand, Never stranger, always welcomes, by his loving, caring hand.

Image - from Flickr Licence.

Downloads

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Solo, SATB and flute arrangement

Examples

Released version - choir with piano accompaniment:

Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website under the title "Shepherd Song" (half way down the page) - presumably by permission of the author.

The song starts with a two-line chorus, and this is repeated after each of the four verses. A rough outline is:

Chorus:
The Lord will be my shepherd
There is nothing I shall need.

1 The Lord will be my shepherd, there is nothing I shall need ...

2 As a shepherd knows the right path, so he puts me on the way ...

3 Surely goodness, surely kindness, shall ever follow me ....