‘Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd”

was written by William James Kirkpatrick (27 February 1838 – 20 September 1921) who was an American hymnwriter of Irish birth. In 1854, he moved to Philadelphia to study music. It was here that he studied vocal music under Professor T. Bishop. Kirkpatrick was a versatile musician playing the cello, fife, flute, organ and violin.  The lyrics written by Mary Wingate (1845 – 1933) was a well know poetess and hymnist. It is said that 39 of her hymns appeared in various hymnals between 1890 and 1917.

This Arrangement Uses: