Originally a hit for Little Peggy March in 1963, this song was made popular once more in 1992 when it was included in Sister Act, as Whoopi Goldberg led a chorus of singing nuns.
Much more recently, this is one of the songs I introduced to Maggie’s Music Makers during the pandemic, and we sang it for the congregation in the summer of 2021 as a joyous celebration of the return of music and singing in our church services.
The lyrics are a little repetitive, but are essentially:
I will follow him
Follow him wherever he may go
And near him, I always will be
For nothing can keep me away
He is my destiny
I will follow him
Ever since he touched my heart I knew
There isn’t an ocean too deep
A mountain so high it can keep
Keep me away
Away from his love
* * * (false ending)
I love him! I love him! I love him!
And where he goes I’ll follow! I’ll follow! I’ll follow!
I will follow him (follow him)
Follow him wherever
He may go! (uhh uhh uhh)
There isn’t an ocean
Too deep (too deep!)
A mountain so high it can keep
Keep me away!
Away from his love!
I love him! I love him! I love him!
And where he goes I’ll follow! I’ll follow! I’ll follow!
He’ll always be my true love (My true love! My true love!)
From now until forever! (Forever, forever)
There isn’t an ocean too deep
A mountain so high it can keep
Keep me away!!
Away from his love
The beginning is slow, very low in the female voice range, and has a contemplative feel. As the pitch rises upper female voices can join in, and there is a beautiful false ending. This meditative moment is interrupted suddenly by a fast and sudden burst of rock ‘n’ roll on the piano, followed by all the voices singing and echoing each other.
Although clearly written as a pop song, very few adjustments were required to make this an upbeat declaration of our discipleship.
Maggie’s offered this song as a surprise flash mob in the vicarage garden on Anniversary Sunday, and again via video for the patronal festival in July. I think it was well received! You can see the virtual choir video recorded by Maggie’s Music Makers here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bs8mHBPUZd0
As we journey through Epiphany with the wise men following the star, towards Candlemas and the Presentation, and on into ‘Ordinary Time’ and beyond that into Lent, remember our love of Jesus, his love of us, and keep following him.
Carol P
St Margaret's Church Prestwich 