I am Jesus' Little Lamb

This is a hymn for children, about Jesus the Good Shepherd and children as the lambs he cares for.  It is based on a German-language hymn, Weil ich Jesu Schaflein bin, written by Morovian teacher and hymn-writer, Henrietta L. von Hayn, (1724-82), and first published in Brüder Gesang-Buch, 1778

This translation was made by Irish Presbyterian minister, missionary and academic, William Fleming Stevenson (1832–86) in 1871, and first published in his book, Hymns for Church & Home, 1873.

Most publications and recording include up to three verses - but so far five verses have been located, with modern and traditional ("discloseth", "reposeth") versions of two.   All have quoted below, with the most common ones first.

With meter 7.7.8.8.7.7, tunes it has been set to include:
  • WEIL ICH JESU SCHÄFLEIN BIN, from Choral-Buch, Brüder-Gemeinen, Leipzig, 1784 - the original and most-commonly used tune.
  • AH VOUS DIRAI-JE MAMAN, a traditional French tune, best known in English as Twinkle Twinkle Little Star)
  • HEATHLANDS (Smart) by English organist and composer, Henry Thomas Smart (1813-79) in 1866.


Downloads

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Examples

Children's choir with piano:


School choir with piano:


Adult singer with organ, professional recording:


Singer with guitar:


Small group of children with guitar-based backing, professional recording?


Singers with orchestra, words and illustrations on-screen, professional recording, all verses, tune AH VOUS DIRAI-JE MAMAN


Small group with electronic keyboard, words and melody line on-screen


Instrumental - electronic keyboard, with words on-screen and lamb pictures:


Lyrics

1  I am Jesus' little lamb,
Ever glad at heart I am;
For my Shepherd gently guides me,
Knows my need and well provides me,
Loves me ev'ry day the same,
Even calls me by my name.

2  Day by day, at home, away,
Jesus is my staff and stay.
When I hunger, Jesus feeds me,
Into pleasant pastures leads me;
When I thirst, He bids me go
Where the quiet waters flow.

3  Who so happy as I am,
Even now the Shepherd's lamb?
And when my short life is ended,
By His angel host attended,
He shall fold me to His breast,
There within His arms to rest.

4   Safely in and out I go,
Jesus guides me here below;
When I hunger Jesus feeds me;
When I thirst, my Shepherd leads me
Where the waters softly flow,
Where the sweetest pastures grow.

OR    
4  Out and in I safely go.
Want and hunger never know.
Soft green pastures he discloseth;
Where his happy flock reposeth.
When I faint or thirsty be,
To the brook he leadeth me.

5 Should I not be always glad?
None whom Jesus loves are sad;
And when this short life is ended,
Those whom the Good Shepherd tended
Will be taken to the skies,
There to dwell in Paradise.
 
OR
5  Should I not be glad all day
In this blessed fold to stay?
By this holy shepherd tended
Whose kind arms when live is ended
Bear me to the world of light?
Yes, oh yes, my lot is bright.

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