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Shepherd of Tender Youth
Verse 1
Shepherd of tender youth,
Guiding in love and truth,
Through devious ways;
Christ our triumphant King,
We come Thy name to sing,
Hither our children bring
To shout Thy praise.
Guiding in love and truth,
Through devious ways;
Christ our triumphant King,
We come Thy name to sing,
Hither our children bring
To shout Thy praise.
Verse 2
Thou art our holy Lord,
The all-subduing Word,
Healer of strife;
Thou didst Thyself abase,
That from sin's deep disgrace
Thou mightest save our race,
And give us life.
The all-subduing Word,
Healer of strife;
Thou didst Thyself abase,
That from sin's deep disgrace
Thou mightest save our race,
And give us life.
Verse 3
Thou art the great High Priest;
Thou hast prepared the feast
Of heavenly love;
While in our mortal pain
None calls on Thee in vain;
Help Thou dost not disdain,
Help from above.
Thou hast prepared the feast
Of heavenly love;
While in our mortal pain
None calls on Thee in vain;
Help Thou dost not disdain,
Help from above.
Verse 4
Ever be Thou our Guide,
Our Shepherd and our pride,
Our staff and song;
Jesus, Thou Christ of God,
By Thy perennial word,
Lead us where Thou hast trod,
Make our faith strong.
Our Shepherd and our pride,
Our staff and song;
Jesus, Thou Christ of God,
By Thy perennial word,
Lead us where Thou hast trod,
Make our faith strong.
Based on an ancient Greek hymn to Christ, this patristic text emphasizes Jesus as the Good Shepherd and guide of youth.