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.
The Lamb
Mormon Tabernacle Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dost thou know who made thee
Gave thee life & bid thee feed.
By the stream & o'er the mead;
Gave thee clothing of delight,
Softest clothing wooly bright;
Gave thee such a tender voice,
Making all the vales rejoice!
Dost thou know who made thee
Little Lamb I'll tell thee,
Little Lamb I'll tell thee!
He is called by thy name,
For he calls himself a Lamb:
He is meek & he is mild,
He became a little child:
I a child & thou a lamb,
We are called by his name.
Little Lamb God bless thee.
Little Lamb God bless thee.
The lyrics of The Lamb by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir describe a conversation between a human and a little lamb. The human asks if the lamb knows who created it, gave it life and provided it with food and clothing. The lamb, of course, cannot answer, so the human proceeds to tell the lamb that the one who created it is also called a lamb - meek and mild - and became a child. The final lines express a blessing on the little lamb.
On a deeper level, these lyrics can be interpreted as an exploration of the concept of divine creation and the relationship between God and his creations. The lamb serves as a symbol for all of God's creation, and the human is an embodiment of human beings who seek to understand the nature of the divine. The gentle language and imagery create a comforting and nurturing atmosphere, emphasizing the protective qualities of God.
Line by Line Meaning
Little Lamb who made thee
Small, innocent lamb, do you know who created you?
Dost thou know who made thee
Do you know who gave you life and instructed you to feed by the water and over the fields?
Gave thee life & bid thee feed.
He granted you life and instructed you to feed by the water and over the fields.
By the stream & o'er the mead;
To find food, you roam by the water and through the meadows.
Gave thee clothing of delight,
He gifted you soft, warm woolen coat that brings you comfort.
Softest clothing wooly bright;
Your coat is the finest wool, very soft and radiant.
Gave thee such a tender voice,
He granted you with a sweet and gentle voice.
Making all the vales rejoice!
Your melody echoes and fills the valleys around you with happiness.
Little Lamb I'll tell thee,
Dear, little lamb, let me tell you
He is called by thy name,
He is known by the same name as you
For he calls himself a Lamb:
He humbly refers to himself as a Lamb.
He is meek & he is mild,
He is kind and humble,
He became a little child:
He became a small, innocent child.
I a child & thou a lamb,
Just like you are a lamb, I am a child.
We are called by his name.
We are both known by his name.
Little Lamb God bless thee.
Little lamb, may God bless you.
Little Lamb God bless thee.
Little lamb, may God bless you.
Contributed by Christian T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@bnt7526
Worthy is the lamb that was slayn
And has redeemed us to God
By his blood
To recieve power and witness and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing
Worthy is the lamb that was slayn and has redeemed us to God, to God by his blood
To receive power and richness and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessings
Blessings and honor, glory, power be unto him, be unto him that siteth upon the throne and unto the lamb
Forever and ever, forever and ever, for ever and ever, that siteth upon the throne and unto the lamb
Blessings and honor, glory and power be unto him,
Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto him forever
Blessings, honor, glory and power be unto him
That siteth upon the throne and unto the throne
And unto the lamb
Forever, forever forever forever and ever forever and ever, forever and ever, forever and ever
Forever, for ever and ever
For ever and ever.
@charlessnyder7624
I think in the age where Christian musicians are trying to act look like rock stars in country singers is refreshing to hear and see denomination both in their music and their appearance show True reverence and love for our creator
@ianwestbrook2474
How I agree with this person…. We are trying to put pop people into churches ….. it’s an abhorrent to me ….. love love love this great great choir ❤
@MsPika62
This is the Amen to the Resurrection... The event in all of history that changes everything forever.... I expect to hear God's Angels singing this when I get to heaven. AMEN!
@osuagwuchrysogonus2852
amen
@realsonhador
Amen
@bnt7526
Worthy is the lamb that was slayn
And has redeemed us to God
By his blood
To recieve power and witness and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing
Worthy is the lamb that was slayn and has redeemed us to God, to God by his blood
To receive power and richness and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessings
Blessings and honor, glory, power be unto him, be unto him that siteth upon the throne and unto the lamb
Forever and ever, forever and ever, for ever and ever, that siteth upon the throne and unto the lamb
Blessings and honor, glory and power be unto him,
Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto him forever
Blessings, honor, glory and power be unto him
That siteth upon the throne and unto the throne
And unto the lamb
Forever, forever forever forever and ever forever and ever, forever and ever, forever and ever
Forever, for ever and ever
For ever and ever.
@jamessievert9813
Amen!
@ugochionyeneke3247
Amen and Amen
@KimmyMalfoy45
I am not religious but this piece of music never ceases to move me. A true testament to the wonderful composing of Handel and to the great musicians performing. Thank you for this performance!
@annarichardson8284
You may not be religious but you are faithful. That is what moves you. Merry Christmas.