Jesus, Shepherd of the Sheep

Ideal to commemorate Good Shepherd Sunday and appropriate as a general anthem at other times in the church year, this moderately easy anthem is largely a meditation on the Gospel of John, chapter 10, in which Jesus declares: "I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep" (v. 14-15) and "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand" (v. 27-28). Accompanied by organ, an original tune in Mixolydian mode evokes a Celtic feel. Features unison women on verse 1, unison men on verse 2, SAB in verses' 3 and 5 contrasting melody, and SAB unaccompanied in verse 4. .