Songs For The Shepherd

Although there have been several Keith Green albums released since his death, "Songs For The Shepherd" was the last recording released in his lifetime.



I remember I was living in South Lake Tahoe at the time the record was released. I went to the only place you could buy christian music in Tahoe (at least back then), the local Calvary Chapel church, which had a tiny bookstore. Of course, like his previous album, I could have written Keith and gotten it for free, but I could afford to pay for it, and so I did.

I got home, put it on the stereo and was a bit disapointed. Nothing seemed to reach out and grab me as his music had before. I put the album up and did not listen to it for many, many years later.

I don't know exactly why, but over the years it has grown on me to where I consider it to be my favorite of all of Keiths' albums. Maybe it took some time in the pigpen of the world before I could appreciate it. Maybe it was that when it was released, albums of praise and worship type music were not very big. Whatever the case, I am absolutely in love with this album today.

Three of the songs are adaptations of scripture from the book of Psalms. One is a cover of the old hymn, "Holy, Holy, Holy". It also contains what I feel is the best song that his wife Melody has ever written, "There Is A Redeemer".

Here are some of the lyrics to this album:

"Draw Me"
Draw me, oh, draw me, please draw me, my Jesus.
Into your presence, where I cannot lie.
My soul is so thirsty, I cannot endure it.
And if I can't get closer, I surely will die.

Take me, oh take me, please take me, my Jesus.
Quickly, before I forget that I'm lost.
For so many times, my mind has deceived me,
That I really don't have to carry the cross.

I just need to know how to pray.
My wicked desires block the way,
Sometimes i have grieved you away,
I don't want to do that today.

Help me, oh help me, please help me my Jesus.
Save me from sins that I thought were all gone.
Kill me with kindness, and break through my blindness.
I know till i'm dead, I can never live on.

I just need to know how to pray.
My wicked desires block the way,
Sometimes i have grieved you away,
I don't want to do that today.

Draw me, oh draw me, please draw me my Jesus.

"There Is A Redeemer"
There is a redeemer, Jesus, God's own Son,
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah, Holy One,

Jesus my redeemer, Name above all names,
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah,Oh, for sinners slain.

Thank you oh my father, For giving us Your Son,
And leaving Your Spirit, 'Til the work on Earth is done.

When I stand in Glory, I will see His face,
And there I'll serve my King forever, In that Holy Place.

Thank you oh my father, For giving us Your Son,
And leaving Your Spirit, 'Til the work on Earth is done.

There is a redeemer, Jesus, God's own Son,
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah, Holy One,

Thank you oh my father, For giving us Your Son,
And leaving Your Spirit, 'Til the work on Earth is done.

And leaving Your Spirit, 'Till the work on Earth is done.

"Until That Final Day"
My flesh is tired of seeking God,
But on my knees I'll stay.
I want to be a pleasing child,
Until that final day.

My mind is full of many thoughts
That clutter and confuse.
But standing firm, I will prevail,
In faith that I'll be used.

Amen! I'm asking once again.
Won't you help me my friend, Lord Jesus.
Holy Lord Spirit, set us free,
From chains we cannot see,
Come release us.

I wrestle not with flesh and blood,
My fight is with the one,
Who lost the keys of hell and death,
To God's most precious son.

One sleepless night of anguished prayer,
I triumphed over sin.
One battle in the Holy war,
God's promised me to win.

Amen! I'm asking once again.
Won't you help me my friend, Lord Jesus.
Holy, Lord Spirit, set us free,
From chains we cannot see,
Come release us.

My flesh is tired of seeking God,
But on my knees I'll stay.
I want to be a pleasing child,
Until that final day.

Keith Green died in July, 1982, and while some might say I'm being over-dramatic here, I feel as if a large part of the integrity of christian music died with him. I know of very few like him today, and the christian music industry has turned into a monster of frankenstien proportions.

I would reccomend you pick up the latest Keith Green albums, especially if you don't have any of his music. There is a new Greatest Hits cd:



And a live cd, called "The Live Experience",



that also comes in a deluxe edition with a dvd, which in my opinion is worth far more than the few extra dollars it will cost over the cd only edition.

In closing, if you like the music of Keith Green, I would reccomend you check out the music of Steve Camp, Rich Mullins and Todd Agnew. All three of these artists seem to have a little bit of Keith in their music.

Until the day when I can hear Keith sing at the foot of Jesus myself, I will continue to listen to his music and enjoy it as it convicts me, inspires me, moves me and energizes me to serve my Lord and my God with all that I am.

Because of Him,
Pastor Dave