Music:

• Be Strong and of a Good Courage (PDF)
  Words and Music by M Ryan Taylor
  for Unison children’s voices and piano

About:

I wrote this children’s primary song based on the story of Joshua and Caleb. The third verse applies the story personally to the singers. See Deuteronomy 31:6-8 and Joshua 1:6-9. The setting is march-like, which I felt was appropriate to the admonition to ‘be strong and of a good courage.’

Lyrics by M Ryan Taylor:

When Moses sent twelve for report into the promised land,
Ten men returned and gave their word that Israel could not stand,
“For we shall seem as insects against their giant band.”
Then Joshua spoke and Caleb true, “All Canaan’s in our hand.”

[Chorus]
“Be strong and of a good courage; be brave, be true.
The Lord thy God, he will go with you.
Be not afraid, be not dismayed.”
Though storms may wail, you can face the gale,
for the Shield of Faith will see you through.
“Be strong and of a good courage; be brave, be true.”

When Joshua stood on Jordon’s shore and looked on Jericho,
He thought about the trials met since forty years ago;
How Israel found its courage by wand’ring far and near
‘Til Moses said, “The time has come,” and spoke for all to hear, [Chorus]

When I am faced with challenges that seem to hard to bear,
When I am left to stand alone and no one seems to care
I think about my Savior and his Gethsemane,
I feel his gentle arms and hear the Spirit’s urgent plea, [Chorus]

Performances:

Thank you for reporting all performances of this original work to mryan@choirworks.com (performer, venue, date). This information is essential for my yearly grant applications.