Preview: He Will Lead Me Home
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Description
SKU: A0.1281185
By Kevin Longley. By Kevin Longley. Arranged by Kevin Longley. Christian,Easter,Lent,Praise & Worship,Sacred. Score. 9 pages. Kevin Longley #872527. Published by Kevin Longley (A0.1281185).He Will Lead Me Home (choral church anthem composed in 2023)
The Inspiration
A few Easter seasons ago, during one of our Tuesday Choir rehearsals, we were preparing for “Good Shepherd Sunday”. Diane our Choir director commented “there are very few Good Shepherd pieces to choose from”. One of our sopranos replied “Let's write our own”. I made note of it and this past year finally found the time and inspiration to give it a try. I did my usual research on the subject matter and then found a drawing of a Shepherd standing at the top of a hill with his sheep lined up behind him. Leaning on his staff the Shepherd was contemplating the safest route home. Upon his decision he looked back and called to his sheep.
The Music
The music begins with a piano introduction depicting the Shepherd standing at the top of the hill contemplating the safest route home, as noted earlier. Stately in nature it features a simple melodic idea, played by the right hand, which is then answered by a series of majestic chords. This “back and forth” continues until it reaches its climax at a D flat major chord against a slur from a high G to F. At this point we hear what will be a reoccurring chordal theme of C major to F major and later C minor to F major. The accompaniment begins, now in three quarter time signifying the sheep beginning to move in response to the shepherds call. The verse melody is drawn from the opening three notes of the introduction but with a different rhythm and repeats it self with underlying harmonic changes. The melody and chord structure is somewhat impressionistic in nature. Lyrically a contrast is drawn between how the Shepherd (Jesus) provides for his sheep (followers) and how God provides for the “sheep” (animals) through nature. As the verse comes to an end we are lead to the realization that “the shepherd is the Lord our King, the Good Shepherd King”. The refrain begins with the tenor continuing to solo on the main melody. ”He Will Lead Home” is realized and proclaimed! A soprano descant is added for contrast. Harmonically the music makes use of the various minor key options, “melodic, harmonic and natural”. The refrain concludes proclaiming “The Good Shepherds the Way He's our Life!”. The second verse shadows the thought pattern of verse one leading to the refrain once more but this time a bridge is introduced to add drama with the piano playing a significant role. A return to the refrain is varied with the tenor singing a portion of it against softly played chords; but then resumes its rhythmic drive to its ultimate conclusion by repeating “the Good Shepherds the Way He's our Life!”.
Program Notes
Voicing can be varied based on what types of singers are available. For example this could be sung by 2 tenors with one singing the descant down an octave. Finally as noted in the score, the intro is optional though I prefer it be played; the shepherd contemplating a safe route is important in the music with its contrast to the verse music and important in our life of faith.
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