The Shema Song by John Carlson
Music by John Carlson
Shema means “hear” or “listen” in Hebrew and it is traditionally the scripture read at the beginning of every Torah service. It consists of Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Deuteronomy 11:-21 and Numbers 15:37-41. The melody came to me one afternoon when I was messing around with my guitar and when I couldn’t make it work with any of the psalms I decided to try it with the Shema, it fit perfectly. It is obviously not a literal rendition of the full Shema but I believe it has captured it’s heart and substance and so I say it is based on these scriptures. I played it for the wife of a friend not long after I wrote it and she commented that I should record an album and name it Shechit Schema which in a modern dialect translates as “Shutup and Listen”. I immediately loved this title because I like getting right to the point and because I believe we spend far too much time telling God what He should do for us instead of remaining still and listening to what he is trying to do for us. And so I encourage all of you to treat each of the songs on this album the same way, be still and listen, not just to the music but to the lyrics.
Here are the lyrics:
Chorus
Shema Y’srael Adonai Eloheynu, Adonai Echad
Y’srael Adonai Eloheynu, Adonai Echad
Love the Lord your God with all your heart
Love the Lord your God with all your strength
These commands that I have given you
Shall be written on your hearts, Y’srael
(chorus)
Teach your children of my ways
Speak of them throughout your days
When you rest and when you rise
Seal them on your hearts, Y’srael
(chorus)
Bind them on your wrists and brow
On the frames of entry to your house
On the gates that lead into your lands
Let them deep into your hearts, Y’srael
(chorus)
Shalom
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