Upon the ancient Irish hills

1.
Upon the ancient Irish hills,
The Shepherd walks ahead;
His voice is soft as curlew calls
Where mist and heather spread.

2.
He knows each sheep by secret name,
As Brigid knew her flame;
He keeps them like the oaken grove
That shields from wind and rain.

3.
Through furze and fern He leads us on,
Past loughs of silver light;
His crozier‑rod, like Patrick’s staff,
Turns back the wolf at night.

4.
No stranger’s voice can draw us far
From paths His feet have worn;
For Christ, the Gate of life and peace,
Stands open every morn.

5.
He is the Son the Father sent,
The Heart of Heaven’s grace;
His voice, like wind through ancient oaks,
Calls all to His embrace.

6.
He calls the sheep we’ve never known
From hills beyond our sight;
He joins them to His woven flock
In one fold of His light.

7.
And when the storm‑clouds crown the hills
And wild Atlantic roars,
He gathers us like nesting wrens
Safe in His heart’s warm shores.

8.
So let us follow where He leads—
The Shepherd, strong and mild;
For in His fold of endless love
Each soul is reconciled.

The Woven Flock: A Reflection

“He knows each sheep by secret name…”
“He joins them to His woven flock
In one fold of His light.”

From Verses 2 & 6

In a world that often demands conformity, the words of John 10—and the rich imagery of the Irish hills—offer a profound sanctuary for the many souls. The Good Shepherd does not demand that every sheep walk, look, or sound the same. Instead, He calls us by our “secret name”—the true essence of who we are, fully known and deeply loved in all our unique wiring.

Known by Name, Not by Label

Society frequently labels our differences as deficits, but the Shepherd’s voice is different. It is as gentle as the curlew call, cutting through the overwhelming noise and masking of the world. He recognizes our sensory sensitivities, our deep-diving passions, and our quiet brilliance. To Him, our minds are not broken; they are purposefully crafted, like the ancient oaken groves that offer shelter from the storm.

The Woven Flock

The beauty of a “woven flock” lies in its textures. A uniform thread makes a plain cloth, but a woven one embraces different strands, colors, and strengths.

• The Safe Fold: When the “wild Atlantic roars” and the sensory or emotional overload of the world becomes too much to bear, the Shepherd does not leave us on the rocky hillside. He gathers us “like nesting wrens,” providing a regulated, safe harbour of perfect acceptance.
• The Open Gate: Christ as the Gate means there is no barrier to entry based on neuromajority standards. We do not have to change how our brains work to find His peace.

We belong to a fold where every communication style, every way of processing the world, and every unique soul is entirely reconciled and celebrated.

Hymn information

First line: Upon the ancient Irish hills 
Text: Michael McFarland Campbell
Metre: CM
Tune: St Columba, Crimond, Dundee, Brother James Air (repeat last two lines of each verse)
Theme: John 10.

© 2026 Michael McFarland Campbell. Permission granted for local church use with attribution. Not for commercial reproduction without permission.