Come Follow Me (I am the Light bringing you out of darkness)

This hymn about following Jesus was written by Indian Roman Catholic priest, musician, liturgist and composer Aniceto Nazareth (b 1938).

It was first published in 1984, and was later included in the 1987 Songs of the Spirit Volume 3 released by Kevin Mayhew Publications - and second-hand copies of this book appear to be the only way to get sheet music for the hymn today.

The text is based on various parts of the Gospel of John, with verses about Jesus as the Light, Sower, Sheperd and Life.

The song is set to an unnamed tune, also by Nazareth. This has a 3/4 time signature. In the key of C, the first few notes are E CD E CD E F G  FED F.

Examples

Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website (last page).  A rough outline is:

1  I am the Light, bringing You out of darkness ...

Chorus:
Foxes have holes, birds have their nests,
But the Son of Man has no place to rest.
Come, follow Me, be the light of the nations,
Leave your nets and come, follow Me.

2  I am the Life that must change every life ...

3  I am the Sower, come, work in my vineyard ...

4  I am the Shepherd come into my sheepfold  ...