Everywhere I Go

MP3 Recording by James Loynes:  Hi-speed    Dialup    Download
CD: How Can I Keep From Singing?
MP3 Accompaniment Track:  Hi-speed    Dialup    Download
CD: How Can I Keep From Singing?--Accompaniment Tracks

View/print sheet music:  Solo, Duet or two-part chorus (PDF) / (.pc) ?
Modified (easier to play) accompaniment (PDF) / (.pc) ?

This song is my contribution in support of the Youth Theme for 2010:

"Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." (Joshua 1:9)

Courage is an undervalued value. One of my favorite quotes is from C.S. Lewis (of course), who said, "Courage is the form of every virtue at the testing point." I so admire the young people with whom I associate, who courageously face so many challenges and tests that never entered my imagination back in the dark ages when I was young. As I look at the choices they make, the excercise of their strength and courage is necessary almost every moment of every day, and I am so impressed by their hope, their cheerfulness, their goodness... so many things about them! Their values are under constant assault, but they continue strong and courageous.

The promise of the Lord to be with us "whithersoever thou goest" is a beautiful thing. (It's not a very singable phrase though, so it became "Everywhere I Go" instead.) It reminds me of this passage from one of my favorite children's books:

“..there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart… I’ll always be with you..” (Christopher Robin… er… AA Milne)

Lyrics

This is my journey, like Israel of old
I travel through the wilderness so far away from home
Though dangers surround me, though the night is long
The Lord is my light, my beacon and guide
My strength and my song

Chorus:
And I will be strong
I will walk unafraid
With the Lord as my companion every step along the way
Then come what may, I'll live with courage in my heart
Because I know
He is with me everywhere I go

This is my journey, like Israel of old
I need not wander lost, nor seek to find my way alone
His presence before me is all that I require
The Lord is my light, my beacon and guide
My pillar of fire

(Repeat Chorus)

This is my journey, and nothing will I fear
The Lord my God will safely pilot me and keep my pathway sure
My help and my guardian to the journey's end
The Lord is my light, my beacon and guide
My Savior and Friend

And I will be strong
I will walk unafraid
With the Lord as my companion every step along the way
Then come what may, I'll live with courage in my heart
Because I know
He is the Lord of heaven and earth
He is the perfect light of truth
And He is with me everywhere I go