Scripture Verse

He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, This is My body given for you; do this in remembrance of Me. Luke 22:19

Introduction

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Lydia H. Sigourney 1791–1865

Words: Ly­dia H. Si­gour­ney, in Psalms and Hymns, for Chris­tian Use and Wor­ship, Ge­ne­ral As­so­cia­tion of Con­nec­ti­cut (Ne­w Ha­ven, Con­nec­ti­cut: Dur­rie & Peck, 1845), num­ber 556.

Music: St. Pe­ter (Rei­na­gle) Al­ex­an­der R. Rei­na­gle, 1836 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

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Alexander R. Reinagle (1799–1877)

Lyrics

Lord, may the spirit of this feast—
The earnest of Thy love—
Maintain a dwelling in our breast,
Until we meet above.

The healing sense of pardoned sin,
The hope that ne­ver tires,
The strength a pilgrim’s race to win,
The joy that Heav’n inspires.

Still may their light our duties trace
In lines of hallowed flame,
Like that upon the prophet’s face,
When from the mount he came.

But if no more with kindred dear
The broken bread we share,
Nor at the banquet board appear
To breathe the grateful prayer:

Forget us not—when on the bed
Of dire disease we waste,
Or to the chambers of the dead,
And bar of judg­ment haste.

Forget not—Thou who bore the woe
Of Calvary’s fatal tree—
Those who within these courts below
Have thus remembered Thee.