Shepherd of eager youth

Shepherd of tender youth,
guiding in love and truth
through devious ways;
Christ our triumphant King,
we come thy Name to sing
and here our children bring
to join thy praise.

Thou art our holy Lord,
the all-subduing Word,
healer of strife.
Thou didst thyself abase
that from sin's deep disgrace
thou mightest save our race
and give us life.

Thou art the great High Priest;
thou hast prepared the feast
of heavenly love;
none calls on thee in vain,
thee who didst not disdain
help in thy mortal pain,
help from above.

Ever be thou our guide,
our Shepherd and our pride,
our staff and song;
Jesus, thou Christ of God,
by thy perennial word
lead us where thou hast trod,
make our faith strong.

So now, and till we die,
sound we thy praises high
and joyful sing;
let all the holy throng
who to thy church belong,
unite and swell the song
to Christ our King.

Words: Clement of Alexandria, second century;
trans. Henry Martyn Dexter, 1846

Music: Olivet, Kirby Bedon

Meter: 664 6664

Website compiled by Steve Benner, 1999-2003.