☝️ Key Points
- The shepherds left their flocks to follow the new star that led them to the baby Jesus.
- The text raises the question of who took care of the sheep at that time and who looked after them.
- It is emphasized that the shepherds had to keep watch over the baby Jesus, but it is still asked who took care of the sheep at that time.
- The text expresses the importance of the presence of the shepherds and their temporary neglect of their flocks to follow God's call.
- The importance of the invisible guardians who were acting in the background is highlighted.
Interpretation
In the song lyrics 'Who Kept the Sheep' by
Johnny Cash, it is about the story of the shepherds who left their flocks by night to follow the new star that led them to the newborn Jesus. The lyrics pose the question of who took care of the sheep during this time and who looked after them.
The lyrics begin with the lines 'The shepherds afar left their flocks by night, followed the new star by its heavenly light'. The shepherds thus left their flocks and followed the new star that led them to the baby Jesus. It is already clear here that the shepherds temporarily neglected their responsibility as shepherds to follow the call of the new star.
The lyrics then ask if the lambs were afraid of the wolves and if they were able to sleep that night. It is asked who took care of the sheep and who made sure they were not stolen. The line 'Did robbers not steal or did they fear the light' shows that the shepherds brought the light and presence of God with them, and possibly deterred the thieves.
It also asks if the sheep did not get lost and if the little lambs cried. Here it becomes clear that the shepherds were not there to guide and protect their flocks. It is emphasized that the shepherds had to keep watch to take care of the baby Jesus, but it is still asked who took care of the sheep during this time.
The lyrics end with the repeated lines 'Who kept the sheep who kept the sheep'. This repetition reinforces the question and emphasizes the fact that no one is directly mentioned as the one who watched over the sheep in the absence of the shepherds.
Overall, the song lyrics express the importance of the presence of the shepherds and their temporary neglect of their flocks to follow God's call. But it also asks the question of who took care of the sheep during this time and who made sure they were safe. It becomes clear that the shepherds had an important role in the story, but the importance of the invisible guardians who acted in the background is also emphasized.