Scripture Verse

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. Psalm 23:2

Introduction

Words: Ed­en R. Lat­ta, in Green Pas­tures for the Lambs (Cleve­land, Ohio: S. Brain­ard’s Sons, 1886), num­ber 1.

Music: Alon­zo J. Ab­bey (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Ab­bey (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
Eden R. Latta (1839–1915)

Lyrics

Green pastures for the lambs,
The tender of the flock:
No poisonous plant is there,
And there no barren rock.
There, no discordant notes
Can fall upon the ear;
And words of peace and love
The timid heart will cheer.

Refrain

Green pastures, green pastures,
Dear children for you,
The world is a desert,
Its pleasures untrue;
Green pastures, green pastures,
Oh, do not delay.
Come, children, dear children,
And enter today.

Green pastures for the lambs,
So innocent and sweet,
No foes to do them harm,
No pitfalls for their feet,
Beside the waters still,
Contented they may stray;
No chilling frost by night,
No burning heat by day.

Refrain

Green pastures for the lambs,
The little children all;
For whom the Sav­ior died,
To save them from the fall;
There lessons, good and wise,
On every page are found,
To fit the youthful soul,
To dwell on heav’nly ground.

Refrain