The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is made up of some 360 men and women, all of whom are volunteers. There are many husband-wife combinations and many families have participated in the choir for generations. Choir members are currently limited to twenty years of participation, allowing new members to join the choir on a regular basis.
The choir was founded in August 1847, one month after the Mormon Pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley. The choir is completely self-funded, traveling and producing albums to support their organization. Choir members are not paid for their participation or performances.
Although the choir has traditionally been recognized for its sound quality, the most recent director, Craig Jessop, a student of Robert Shaw, has made changes designed to improve the overall quality of the choir. Jessop's efforts to add vitality to the choir's sound include the formation of The Orchestra at Temple Square, the 2005 addition of The Bells on Temple Square (a hand bell choir), and continual refinement of the choir's tone, enunciation, and repetoire. The minimum age for participation has been reduced from 30 to 25. In addition, new choir members participate in The Temple Square Chorale training choir, a combination music theory/performance school led by associate director and composer/arranger Mack Wilberg.
Brother James's Air
Mormon Tabernacle Choir Lyrics
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He makes me down to lie
In pastures green; He leadeth me
The quiet waters by.
He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
the quiet waters by.
My soul He doth restore again;
Within the paths of blessedness,
Ev'n for His own Name's sake.
Within the paths of blessedness,
Ev'n for His own Name's sake.
Yea, though I pass through shadows death,
Yet will I fear no ill;
For Thou art with me; and Thy rod
And staff me comfort still.
Thy rod and staff they comfort still
They comfort still.
My table Thou hast furnishèd
In presence of my foes;
My head with oil thou dost anoint,
And my cup overflows.
My head thou dost with oil anoint,
And my cup overflows.
Goodness and mercy all my days
Will surely follow me;
And in my father's heart alway
My dwelling place shall be.
And in my heart forevermore,
thy dwelling place shall be.
And in my heart forevermore,
thy dwelling place shall be.
The lyrics of this song, titled Brother James's Air, are a beautiful rendering of Psalm 23, which is a well-known and well-loved Old Testament passage. The psalm begins by praising God as a shepherd who provides for and protects his flock. The first stanza of the song echoes this sentiment, describing how God guides and sustains his people with comforting imagery of pastures and quiet waters.
The second stanza speaks to the restorative power of God's grace, and how he blesses his people with a living faith. The third stanza acknowledges the darker moments of life, including the shadow of death, but also the unshakeable presence of God's comfort through such trials. It is in facing these challenges that believers experience the true depth of their relationship with God.
Line by Line Meaning
The Lord's my Shepherd, I'll not want.
I have the Lord as my provider and do not lack anything.
He makes me down to lie in pastures green; He leadeth me the quiet waters by.
The Lord gives me rest and nourishment in green pastures and leads me to peaceful waters.
He leadeth me, He leadeth me, the quiet waters by.
The Lord guides me to still and tranquil waters.
My soul He doth restore again; And me to walk doth make within the paths of blessedness, Ev'n for His own Name's sake.
The Lord rejuvenates my spirit and leads me on righteous paths for the sake of His name.
Within the paths of blessedness, Ev'n for His own Name's sake.
I am directed along paths leading to blessings, for the glory of His name.
Yea, though I pass through shadows death, Yet will I fear no ill; For Thou art with me; and Thy rod And staff me comfort still.
Even when I face deathly shadows, I will not be afraid because the Lord is with me and brings me comfort with His rod and staff.
Thy rod and staff they comfort still They comfort still.
The Lord's instruments of guidance and discipline provide me with comfort.
My table Thou hast furnishèd In presence of my foes; My head with oil thou dost anoint, And my cup overflows.
In the presence of my enemies, the Lord provides me with abundance and honors me with anointing oil.
My head thou dost with oil anoint, And my cup overflows.
The Lord blesses me beyond measure and fills my cup to overflowing.
Goodness and mercy all my days Will surely follow me; And in my father's heart alway My dwelling place shall be.
The Lord's goodness and mercy will accompany me all my life, and I will always have a place in the heart of my Father.
And in my heart forevermore, thy dwelling place shall be.
The Lord will always have a place in my heart where He can dwell.
And in my heart forevermore, thy dwelling place shall be.
The Lord will always have a place in my heart where He can dwell.
Contributed by Caroline R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@cgajski1
This song leads me to this day. I sang it with my little brother in choir in 1997 shortly before he died at 15 years old in a tragic accident. Our high school choir sang it at his funeral. I'll always think of him when I hear it, but it's like he's reminding me to have faith in God EVERY TIME I hear it.
@charlottesteele3615
I am so sorry for your loss. I hope this song as well as others brings you comfort
@maulenaspencer4906
Oh, I am SO sorry/sad to hear this !!! How heart-breaking. I love this version too, and I'm glad it brings you God's peace to your heart.
@michaeldibor9315
My favorite arrangement of Psalm 23. Can't get enough of it. So soothing..
@ernestorecayte2169
"This music is the most direct art, it enters through the ear and goes to the heart"
@arizonastrip73
A most perceptive comment. Thank you.
@randyking9489
Well said. Amen
@irenegarciamuelas6431
Thank you for bringing releif where releif is needed. God bless you all.
@thomasyoung684
Perfect union of music and verse. Calming and comforting. Sublime.
@maulenaspencer4906
I went nuts trying to find this tune. This version is so beautiful it's making me cry.