Photograph of Becka deHaan sitting at a piano
Rise Up Shepherd and Follow
[Traditional Negro spiritual, arranged 2012 by Becka deHaan]

There’s a star on the east on Christmas morn’;
Rise up shepherd and follow;
It will lead to the place where Christ was born;
Rise up shepherd and follow.

There’s a star on the east on Christmas morn’;
Rise up shepherd and follow;
It will lead to the place where Christ was born;
Rise up shepherd and follow.

Chorus:
Follow, follow;
Rise up shepherd and follow.
Follow the star over Bethlehem;
Rise up shepherd and follow.

If you pay good heed to the angel’s words
Rise up shepherd and follow;
You’ll forget your flocks, you’ll forget your herds;
Rise up shepherd and follow.

[Chorus]

[Interlude]

Pay good heed to the angel…
Follow the star…
O, o, I said, follow, follow;
Rise up shepherd and follow;

Follow the star over Bethlehem;
(Follow, follow.)
O, rise up and follow!
(Follow the star over Bethlehem.)

O, leave your flocks, forget your herds; (Follow, follow.)
Don’t need no baggage, just get on board!
(Follow the star over Bethlehem.) Follow the child’s cry!
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