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About Numbered Notation

Numbered Notation (also called Jianpu, 简谱) writes each melody note as a number from 1 to 7 instead of a note on a staff. The number shows the note's position in the song's scale -- not its exact pitch -- so the same tune looks identical no matter what key it's sung in.

Within one octave, the numbers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 correspond to the familiar do re mi fa sol la ti. A dot above a number raises it an octave higher; a dot below lowers it an octave lower -- no dot means the middle, as-written octave.

A plain number lasts one beat. A dash (-) right after a number holds that same note for one more beat. A line underneath a number shortens it instead -- one line is half a beat, two lines a quarter of a beat. A 0 is a rest: silence for one beat.

The label at the top of the sheet, like "1=C" or "1=Ab", shows which pitch scale degree 1 ("do") is tuned to. A song in a minor key is labeled "6=X" instead -- scale degree 6 ("la") is the true tonic. Chord names printed above the notes (like "C" or "G7") always use their familiar letter names, never numbers.

For example, under a "1=C" heading, the numbers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 sound as C D E F G A B. Under a "1=G" heading, those very same numbers sound as G A B C D E F# instead -- same shape, different key.

In God’s green pastures feeding

Experience of God As the Shepherd

1
In God’s green pastures feeding by His cool waters lie;
Soft in the evening walk my Lord and I,
All the sheep of His pasture
Fare so wondrously fine; His sheep am I.
 
Sisters: Waters cool,
Brothers: In the valley;
Sisters: Pastures green,
Brothers: On the mountain,
Sisters: In the evening
Brothers: In the evening
Everyone: Walk my Lord and I.
 
Sisters: Dark the night,
Brothers: In the valley,
Sisters: Rough the way,
Brothers: On the mountain,
Sisters: Step by step...
Brothers: Step by step.
Everyone: My Lord and I.
2
Through the streets of the city in the darkness of the night,
Far from the fold, He heard my lonely cry.
Now I sit at His table in the palace of light;
His sheep am I.

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Sonia Pereira

Coronel Fabriciano, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Jul 27, 2026

This song sounds great in a teen choir. Heard it and it was just love at first sight!

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Abel Lau

Sand Spring, OK, United States

Jun 30, 2026

This tune just came back to me a week ago and I’ve been trying to remember the lyrics. Found it here and it brought back memories of emotions I had as a teen when we sang this song in youth group. This represents an intimacy with the LORD I needed to regain. So glad I found it here!

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Judith Neergaard

St Peters, MO, United States

Feb 25, 2026

I learned this at Bible camp as a young teenager. I played alto recorder and a friend played flute for talent night. As an adult I taught it to my children to sing parts with me. My oldest daughter loved it so much she sang the parts with me at a hymn night when she was about three.

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Janie

Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States

Jun 29, 2025

I remember singing this song in the chapel service at our Christian school in the early 60's. I'm glad I found it again.

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Shellie Erin Williams

Round Lake, MN, United States

Sep 6, 2023

Have been looking for this song for years. So glad to find it here. Thank you so much.

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K.M.

Salem, OR, United States

Jun 4, 2023

I learned three verses but for the life of me can only remember two. The first verse (above) is the same. I have *never* heard the second (above). And the additional verse I can remember goes as follows:

Oh, do you know the Shepherd who has died for His sheep?
Know of His cleansing blood, His power to keep?
He's a wonderful Savior and He loves you and me.
Are you His sheep?

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John Burns

Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada

Apr 23, 2023

Back Home in Ireland we sang the piece in camps , youth and church congregationally . My Mum played at home on her piano for me to practice for me to lead off .

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Susan

Maynard, MA, United States

Apr 14, 2023

What a joy to find this song here. I learned this song at Camp Fireside, a Christian camp in New Hampshire back in the early 60’s. We were only taught the first verse. Our chapel , Garrish Chapel, had a metal roof and on torrential raining days you could not even hear the pastor. So, we were instructed to sing this song as loud as we could! It was so much fun. Sometimes we sang the song in round. My very best memories as a young girl came from my many summers at this camp and remembering this song which I still sing from time to time when I am troubled and feeling lost.

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Anonymous

Feb 14, 2023

our maternal uncle taught us this song... we used to sing in rounds. I still cherish those times. I even taught this song to my son.

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Ariadne

Washington DC, United States

Feb 6, 2023

I've sung this since I was a child and it's one of my favorites. I've always known the second verse to be:

Yes the Lord is my shepherd
And no want shall I know.
He'll guide and comfort me
Where 'ere I go.
On the mount, in the valley,
By His hand He shall lead,
His sheep all I.

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