William Blake - The Shepherd
On Sunday, February 7, 2010, the choir at the Lancaster Church of the Brethren will be singing an anthem based on William Blake's The Lamb. That's assuming we will have a church service. We are presently in the early stages of a snowstorm that could bring up to two feet of snow by late Saturday afternoon.
The Lamb is a gentle little poem that evokes pastoral images. Of course, the Christian can also interpret the lamb as Jeus, the Christ. Now it is interesting to note that in the scriptures, God is often pictured as a shepherd, while in the New Testament, Jesus is not only the lamb, but is also sometimes pictured as a shepherd. William Blake wrote another poem entitled The Shepherd that was included in his Songs of Innocence. I'll leave it to you to interpret this poem. - The Old Professor
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William Blake
1757-1827
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The Shepherd
How sweet is the Shepherd's sweet lot!
From the morn to the evening he strays;
He shall follow his sheep all the day,
And his tongue shall be filled with praise.
For he hears the lamb's innocent call,
And he hears the ewe's tender reply;
He is watchful while they are in peace,
For they know when their Shepherd is nigh.
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