Though this spiritual focuses on a plea for Jesus to walk alongside us, there is an element of assurance that His answer is “yes.” As the psalmist writes, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me” (Psalm 23:4, ESV). As this song is sung, think about what it means to constantly have the presence of God, even when no human companionship is available.
Text:
This text is an anonymous spiritual, most likely of the African-American tradition. One author categorizes the song as a “communal lament” (Paul Westermeyer, Hymnal Companion to Evangelical Lutheran Worship, p. 115-116). Another writes, “This text is categorized as a 'sorrow song,' meant for individual rather than group singing” (Robert L. Anderson, The New Century Hymnal Companion, p. 456). What both concur on is that this is not a happy song. The three stanzas in common use are “I want Jesus to walk with me,” “In my trials,” and “When I'm in trouble” (or sometimes “In my sorrows”). All of them focus on a plea for the companionship of Jesus throughout life, using the metaphor of a journey on foot.
Tune:
This spiritual's tune is also anonymous. It is named after Sojourner Truth, the freed slave woman who publicly spoke for freedom and equality for all. This tune is not hard to sing, though the changes between major thirds and minor thirds may present a slight difficulty. The opening motif is repeated at the beginning of the second and third phrases, and the fourth phrase repeats the ending motif of the third phrase. Sing at a moderately slow tempo.
When/Why/How:
This hymn is often associated with Lent, but could be sung throughout the year. It would work well paired with another spiritual or alone. An a capella setting of “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me,” with plenty of room for an energetic interpretation, is for choir and a medium range soloist, and is suitable for high school or adult choirs. “Walk with Me” is a blues or gospel style choral setting, which has piano and rhythm accompaniment and an original melody in the middle section. A simpler choral version of “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me” with piano accompaniment is more accessible to smaller choirs. “Three Lenten Hymn Settings for Organ, Set 3” contains a mournful organ setting of this tune.
Tiffany Shomsky,
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