His Guardian Care

Grade Level 4

Year: 2018

Composer: James Curnow

Program Notes:

The beautiful text “He Leadeth Me” by Joseph Henry Gilmore (1834-1918), which inspires the Christian believer to abandon all and follow Christ’s leading through life, is here joined to a new melodic setting by James Curnow (Sing Praise, Vol. 1 – SAB choral and Sing to the Lord, Vol. 16 – SATB choral) in an expressive solo setting for any instrument in EÓ or F, with both an ensemble or piano accompaniment.

Curnow’s new melody is interwoven with melodic fragments from other familiar melodies often sung to the same text; “He Leadeth Me” (William B. Bradbury, 1816-1868) and “He Wipes the Tear” (Alexander Lee, 1802-1851), to form miniature rhapsodic variations that give added emphasis to this meaningful, sacred text.

He leadeth me! O blessed thought!

O words with heavenly comfort fraught!

Whate’er I do, where’er I be,

Still ‘tis God’s hand that leadeth me.

He leadeth me, He leadeth me!

By His own hand He leadeth me;

His faithful follower I will be,

For by His hand He leadeth me.

American Instrumental Ensemble Series (AIES/ABES)