It was written by South African born lay Franciscan Sebastian Temple (1928-1997), and was the title-track of an LP released by Franciscan Communications in 1967 (ref). A music-book for this record was published by GIA Publications, and this is still available from Sheet Music Plus (link below).
The song has been included in a number of other books also, including:
It is set to an unnamed tune, also by Temple. This has a 4/4 time signature. In the key of C, the first few notes are E E G C_ C DEFD E-D, with accompanying chords C / Am / Dm / G7.
Solo singer with backing (possibly the original recording):
Modern choir with praise band:
Solo singer, self-accompanied on guitar:
The song has been included in a number of other books also, including:
- 20th Century Folk Hymnal, volume 1, 1974
- Let's just Praise the Lord, 1978
- Hymns Old and New for the Irish Church,
- McCrimmon's Celebration Hymnal for Everyone - 1994 edition (not in the 2012)
- Canadian Catholic Book of Worship II, 1980
It is set to an unnamed tune, also by Temple. This has a 4/4 time signature. In the key of C, the first few notes are E E G C_ C DEFD E-D, with accompanying chords C / Am / Dm / G7.
Downloads
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Examples
Solo singer with backing (possibly the original recording):
Modern choir with praise band:
Solo singer, self-accompanied on guitar:
Lyrics
The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website. A rough outline is:Happy the man who wanders with the Lord.
Happy the man who know's how to live,
Happy the man who never seeks reward,
Giving because he loves to give.
He seeks no gold, He wants no gain,
He knows those things are all in vain.
He needs no praise nor honour too,
His only motto, “to your own self be true.”
Happy the man who learned how to pray,
Happy the man who has a burning goal,
Happy the man whose service needs no pay.
This man has found his own soul,
Happy the man, happy the man of the Lord.
one of the greatest songs ever in any genre. sincerity. God wants us all to be happy.
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