There is a lovely version of The Lord Is My Shepherd, and for years I've been trying to track down who wrote it, plus the sheet music. I remembered just snatches of the lyrics, but as they differ enough from the more usual versions, I came across a discussion about it on NameThatHymn.com
. I quickly recorded an MP3 demo which I posted on the site, just to check it was the same one (which it was) and before long the complete lyrics had been posted, which are as follows:
The Lord Is My Shepherd
The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want; I have everything that I need
Near to pastures green, by the cooling stream; Here He will revive my drooping spirit
Chorus: My Lord
Lord (Oh my Lord) be my shepherd; Let me be your sheep
My footsteps he guides on the right path, as he promises to all men
Even when I trail through the darkest vale, with his crook and staff, He gives me comfort (Chorus)
A banquet so fine He prepares for me, where my enemies all can see
Holy oil to spread and anoint my head, and my cup He fills to overflowing (Chorus)
His goodness and kindness shall follow me, and be with me, all my days
In His house divine, to the end of time, I will honour him for ever more
My Lord (my Lord) x4
I then set about writing it out from memory on some software package, which, as I can't read or write music, took a while! Someone called Elisabeth then kindly emailed me a copy that her singing teacher gave her a few years back. Unfortunately, it still had no author/publishing information. Then, a couple of people came up with the name David Palmer of Croydon, and this led me to a bit of digging about and finally contact with him, who confirmed he was the author.
'The Lord Is My Shepherd' is from his Christmas oratorio 'Holy Boy'.
Copies of music and words can be obtained direct from him:
Website: www.david-palmer.co.uk/
E-mail: djpmaestro@yahoo.co.uk