Lord Jesus, You Shall Be My Song
for SATB chorus with assembly, organ, and oboe (or C inst.)
text and tune by Les Petites Soeurs de Jésus,
trans. Stephen Somerville, arr. by ZMH
St. Olaf Choral Series
Augsburg Fortress, 9781506465463
Lord Jesus, You Shall Be My Song was created in 1961 by members of Les Petites Soeurs de Jésus (“The Little Sisters of Jesus”), a global contemplative order that “seeks to be a sign of love to people who are rejected.”* The hymn also has associations with L’Arche communities. It is both a promise to bear witness to the love of Christ, and a prayer for courage throughout life’s journey.
With its tender ritornello and graceful harmonies, this setting honors the gentle confidence of the source material. Assembly may join the chorus on stanzas 2 and 4.
*Paul Westermeyer, Hymnal Companion to Evangelical Lutheran Worship (Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 2010).
Commissioned by St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Waukesha, WI, in honor of Rev. Kathy Boadwine and her 39 years or ordained ministry.
