Scripture Verse

The Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. Genesis 2:7

Introduction

Words: Bes­sie P. Head, cir­ca 1914.

Music: Spi­rit­us Vi­tae Ma­ry J. Ham­mond, cir­ca 1914 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Ham­mond (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
Bessie P. Head
1850–1936

Lyrics

O breath of life, come sweeping through us,
Revive Thy church with life and power;
O Breath of life, come, cleanse, renew us,
And fit Thy church to meet this hour.

O wind of God, come bend us, break us,
Till humbly we confess our need;
Then in Thy tenderness remake us,
Revive, restore, for this we plead.

O breath of love, come breathe within us,
Renewing thought and will and heart;
Come, Love of Christ, afresh to win us,
Revive Thy church in every part.

O heart of Christ, once broken for us,
’Tis there we find our strength and rest;
Our broken, contrite hearts now solace,
And let Thy waiting church be blest.

Revive us, Lord! Is zeal abating
While harvest fields are vast and white?
Revive, us Lord, the world is waiting,
Equip Thy church to spread the light.