...one of my all-time favorite hymns. It was the second distribution hymn:
Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendor,
First begotten from the dead,
You alone our strong defender,
You lift up Your people's head.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Jesus, true and living bread!
Jesus, true and living bread!
Though the lowliest forms now veil You
As of old in Bethlehem,
Here as there Your angels hail You
Root and flow'r of Jesse's stem.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
We in worship join with them!
We in worship join with them!
Paschal Lamb, Your offering finished
Once for all when You were slain,
In its fullness undiminished
Shall forevermore remain.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Cleansing souls from every stain,
Cleansing souls from every stain.
Life-imparting heavenly Manna,
Stricken Rock with streaming side,
Heaven and earth with loud hosanna
Worship You, the Lamb who died.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Ris'n, ascended, glorified,
Ris'n, ascended, glorified.
Distribution hymns are bittersweet--especially communion hymns. So rich and beautiful, but pastors never get to sing them! It's nice to move one of them out to the closing hymn once in a while.
ReplyDeleteThe anglican tune suits it better IMO, St. Helen I think it's called
ReplyDeleteMatt,
ReplyDeleteI sing many of them along with the people in between communing folks; provided they haven't changed the words... GRR.
Sean,
Oh, I love the Welsh tune. Do you not like it?