Christopher Walker will write songs in 6/8 and 9/8 time won’t he. You can hear it done as intended here. This is also a nicely sung version from a mass. A school choir can be heard singing it here and it sounds great when they all kick in. It is a delicate flower of a song and I’m not sure I trust myself with it – maybe just a little guitar and close to speaking the lyrics. With so many settings of this psalm I doubt we’ll ever get around to using this, which is probably a pity.
My backing is not right because I made it 3/4 to get it into BIAB so the feel is all wrong, but if you want to do it with a country waltz feel sing along!
Verse 1
Because the Lord is my shepherd,
I have ev’ry thing I need.
He lets me rest in the meadow and leads me
to the quiet streams.
He restores my soul and he leads me
in the paths that are right:Refrain
Lord, you are my shepherd,
you are my friend.
I want to follow you always,
just to follow my friend.Verse 2
And when the road leads to darkness,
I shall walk there unafraid.
Even when death is close I have courage,
for your help is there.
You are close beside me with comfort,
you are guiding my way:Refrain
Verse 3
In love you make me a banquet
for my enemies to see.
You make me welcome, pouring down honor
from your mighty hand,
and this joy fills me with gladness;
it is too much to bear:Refrain
Verse 4
Your goodness always is with me
and your mercy I know.
Your loving kindness strengthens me always
as I go through life.
I shall dwell in your presence forever,
giving praise to your name:Refrain
© Christopher Walker 1985.
We use this often as our Ps 23 psalm. We find it to be easier than some other versions of Ps 23. What we do is sing it in psalm style by starting with the refrain (cantor), refrain (all), then to verse 1.