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The shepherd's song

from Like the river by Alex MacDonald

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about

I grew up on a hill sheep farm on the Strath of Kildonan where my father was a shepherd, and as a wee boy I would never go to sleep at night unless my father or mother would sing me a particular song. It was “The Ninety and Nine” which tells the story of the lost sheep and the Good Shepherd. In December 1989 my parents were due to celebrate their Golden Wedding, and I wanted to write a song for them. It became apparent early in the year that my father was seriously ill, and would probably not make it. I wrote this song, and I’m glad I was able to sing it for him before he died.

lyrics

The Shepherd's Song

I have come from the north country
The land of loch and hill
Where the curlew's cry fills the sky
On an evening damp and still

Chorus
When the shepherd sang for his lost sheep
On his knees beside the bed
And a mother filled the house with light
And made sure that all were fed

The crofter's son came across the hills
To the place where the rivers meet
In the winter chill he trapped the hill
In the summer he fished the beat

In the prime of life he wed a lass
From the strath where he belonged
They made a home which was not their own
But they filled that house with song

He worked the sheep and he worked the land
A land that was his by right
But a different country he could see
That he dreamed of every night

Now some demand the earth and land
In the end they'll get six feet
But the shepherd loved the land above
Where the Good Shepherd he will meet

(c) Alex J MacDonald

credits

from Like the river, released October 4, 2008
Alex MacDonald: vocals, guitar
Doug MacDonald: bandurria

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about

Alex MacDonald Edinburgh, UK

Grew up in Kildonan Strath, Sutherland, where I loved the psalms and hymns and the old folk songs my father had learned from his drover grand uncle.Went on to Cash, the Clancys and Corries, Tom Paxton and Dylan. Started playing guitar and writing songs in my teens, but only started recording this century with my rock band sons! Either solo or with my band, I've played all over Scotland. ... more

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