Seeking the Pastures of Christ the Shepherd

Thou whom my soul admires above

Author: Isaac Watts
Tune: ARMLEY
Published in 89 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, MusicXML
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1 Thou, Whom my soul admires above
All earthly joy and earthly love,
Tell me, dear Shepherd, let me know,
Where doth Thy sweetest pasture grow?

2 Where is the shadow of that rock
That from the sun defends Thy flock?
Fain would I feed among Thy sheep,
Among them rest, among them sleep.

3 Why should Thy bride appear like one
That turns aside to paths unknown?
My constant feet would never rove,
Would never seek another love.



Source: Hymnal: according to the use of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America #459

Author: Isaac Watts

Isaac Watts was the son of a schoolmaster, and was born in Southampton, July 17, 1674. He is said to have shown remarkable precocity in childhood, beginning the study of Latin, in his fourth year, and writing respectable verses at the age of seven. At the age of sixteen, he went to London to study in the Academy of the Rev. Thomas Rowe, an Independent minister. In 1698, he became assistant minister of the Independent Church, Berry St., London. In 1702, he became pastor. In 1712, he accepted an invitation to visit Sir Thomas Abney, at his residence of Abney Park, and at Sir Thomas' pressing request, made it his home for the remainder of his life. It was a residence most favourable for his health, and for the prosecution of his literary… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Thou whom my soul admires above
Title: Seeking the Pastures of Christ the Shepherd
Author: Isaac Watts
Meter: 8.8.8.8
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Tune

ARMLEY


WILSON (Emerson)


CANONBURY

Derived from the fourth piano piece in Robert A. Schumann's Nachtstücke, Opus 23 (1839), CANONBURY first appeared as a hymn tune in J. Ireland Tucker's Hymnal with Tunes, Old and New (1872). The tune, whose title refers to a street and square in Islington, London, England, is often matched to Haver…

Go to tune page >


Timeline

Media

The Cyber Hymnal #6984
  • Adobe Acrobat image (PDF)
  • Noteworthy Composer score (NWC)
  • XML score (XML)

Instances

Instances (1 - 2 of 2)
TextScoreAudio

The Cyber Hymnal #6984

The Harmonia Sacra #72A

Include 87 pre-1979 instances
Suggestions or corrections? Contact us