for SATB voices (optional string accompaniment)
Because “I Am Jesus’ Little Lamb” is generally considered a children’s hymn, it captures a certain childlike simplicity in its presentation of Christ’s care for us. For this setting, I wanted to highlight the fact that simplicity can be what makes a hymn valuable at the end of our lives. Before composing this piece, I heard some of my students sing a similar hymn, “Jesus Loves Me,” at a funeral. It demonstrated that hymns are some of our only weapons against the devil in our last hours, and there is beauty in the fact that the hymns we sing as children can be the most powerful ones we hear on our deathbed.
My hope for this setting is, on the one hand, to portray the suffering and weight carried by a Christian who has lived a full life—but on the other hand, to stay true to the hymn’s assurance that we are all still sheep under the loving care of our Good Shepherd. “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28–30
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