O Bread of Life from Heaven

I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never go hungry. John 6:35

Words: Maintzich Gesangbuch, 1661 (O Esca viatorum). Translated from Latin to English by Philip Schaff, Christ in Song (New York: 1869), and Hugh T. Henry, in the American Catholic Hymnal, 1913.

Music: O Welt, ich muss dich lassen 15th Century German tune. Adapted by Heinrich Isaac circa 1490. Harmony by Johann S. Bach, 1729 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

O Bread of Life adapted from Heinrich Isaac by F. Melius Christiansen (1871–1955) (🔊 pdf nwc)

O bread of life from Heaven,
O food to pilgrims given,
O manna from above:
Feed with the blessèd sweetness
Of Your divine completeness
The souls that want and need Your love.

O fount of grace redeeming,
O river ever streaming,
From Jesus’ wounded side:
Come now, Your love bestowing
On thirsting souls, and flowing
Till all are fully satisfied.

We love You, Jesus, tender,
In all Your hidden splendor
Within these means of grace.
Oh, let the veil be riven,
And our clear eye in Heaven
Behold Your glory face to face.

Scripture Verse

Introduction

Lyrics