I'm not really on some sort of religious frenzy, what with my bringing up all these threads on Spirituals. I'm building a database of links to accompany the Rise Up Singing Songbook, and I'm on the "Spirituals" chapter.

I came across a song in Rise Up Singing that I know nothing about. Here 'tis:

HE'S MY ROCK MY SWORD MY SHIELD

He's my rock, my sword, my shield — He's my wheel in the middle of the wheel
He's my lily of the valley, He's my bright & shining star
Makes no difference what you say, I'm gonna serve my Lord today
I'm gonna keep on serving Jesus [the Spirit] til I die

G-C G/--A P/lst/GGPG(C G)

That's all that's in the songbook - no verses, no background or source information.

Here's a recording by Ethel Waters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VL3Za4_jKCs

One by Randy Travis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP5Ugin666g

Here's a rather interesting arrangement by Rev. Gerald Thompson and the Tennessee Full Gospel Baptist Church Choir - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1MN2zSudxY

And the Golden Gate Quartet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgtUXV2Gjoo

And here's one that I really like - complete with hand motions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRI6Zg7e9XQ