My Camino Song - Shepherd Show me How to Go

I was brought up on this song (see below), this hymn. As a child, I remember hearing my mother singing these lyrics as she lovingly ironed the family's clothes. Thank you Mother.

The image of sheep appealed to me and the idea of the kindly, brave shepherd caring for those sheep, was not lost on me.

This Christian Science hymn has given me strength over the years. At my wedding, decades ago, we chose to play a wonderful version (from a recording by Larry Groce). This hymn helped me through my Air Force Basic Training. I sang this song for my own children.

It still speaks to me.

And it will be my theme song as I walk the Camino to Santiago in April. "I will follow, and rejoice, all the rugged way..."

"FEED MY SHEEP"

Shepherd, show me how to go

O'er the hillside steep,

How to gather, how to sow, —

How to feed Thy sheep;

I will listen for Thy voice,

Lest my footsteps stray;

I will follow and rejoice

All the rugged way.

Thou wilt bind the stubborn will,

Wound the callous breast,

Make self-righteousness be still,

Break earth's stupid rest.

Strangers on a barren shore,

Lab'ring long and lone,

We would enter by the door,

And Thou know'st Thine own;

So, when day grows dark and cold,

Tear or triumph harms,

Lead Thy lambkins to the fold,

Take them in Thine arms;

Feed the hungry, heal the heart,

Till the morning's beam;

White as wool, ere they depart,

Shepherd, wash them clean.

- Mary Baker Eddy

{Photo credit: ©2007 Amawalker (http://amawalker.blogspot.com)/ taken at Granón on September 3, 2007}