Loving Shepherd, kind and true,
Wilt Thou not in pity hear me?
Seek Thy Lamb as shepherds do,
In Thy bosom gently bear me;
Take me hence from earth's annoy
To Thy home of endless joy.
See how in this wilderness
Lost amid its wastes I wander;
Take me hence to dwell in bliss
With the flock who, gather'd yonder,
Now Thy glory, Lord, behold,
Safe within the heavenly fold.
For I fain would gaze on Thee,
With the lambs, to whom 't is given
That they feed from danger free
In the happy field of heaven,
Praising Thee, all terrors o'er,
Never can they leave Thee more.
Here I live in sore distress,
Watching, fearing hour by hour,
For my foes around me press,
And I know their craft and power;
Lord, Thy lamb can never be
Safe one moment but with Thee.
Then, Lord Jesus, let me not
Fall amid the wolves, but bear me,
As the faithful shepherd ought;
Help me, keep me ever near Thee,
Till Thou bear me in Thy breast
Homeward to my endless rest.
Source: Chorale Book for England, The #152
Catherine Winkworth (b. Holborn, London, England, 1827; d. Monnetier, Savoy, France, 1878) is well known for her English translations of German hymns; her translations were polished and yet remained close to the original. Educated initially by her mother, she lived with relatives in Dresden, Germany, in 1845, where she acquired her knowledge of German and interest in German hymnody. After residing near Manchester until 1862, she moved to Clifton, near Bristol. A pioneer in promoting women's rights, Winkworth put much of her energy into the encouragement of higher education for women. She translated a large number of German hymn texts from hymnals owned by a friend, Baron Bunsen. Though often altered, these translations continue to be used i… Go to person page >
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