PSALM 23
A Sussex Dialect Version


De Lord my Shepherd be
Surelye I shall not lack.
He leads me into fresh green grass
Along de daily track.

And where de waters sweet
Flow gently, gently on
He leads me; and He maaks me feel
dat I be He's own son.

My soul He does restore
and in right paths does guide
for He's naame's sake; and so dat I
doant wander from He's side.

Yea, though I walk tween hills
de shaades of death all through,
of evil I wunt be afeardt
acos I walk wid you.

Your kind of Sussex bat,
your kind of Pyecrombe crook,
they comfort me: and sure me I
to you for help can look.

A table you've prepared
dere I may set and feast
where enemies be all around,
You'll see dey doant molest.

You're poured iol on my head
as ef I was a king;
my cup of jy runs over loike
a ever bubbling spring.

Goodness and marcy too
shall surelye follow me
all through de days of earthly life
wherever I may be.

And surelye after dat
in de house of de Lord
I'll live for ever.
For dat be according to He's word.

James Richards, Tunbridge Wells


Last revised on 23 November 1999.