This is the latest installment in my quixotic quest to created my own update to AOV 1,2, & NG from songs that were published after the closing of the canon. I’m looking through the As One Voice digital platform looking for songs that are singable and usable liturgically.
This is another Peter Grant song, and his hallmark is singable melodies. This is a song with an obvious use for the Procession of the Gifts but with a third verse for weddings and blessings.
I was taken by the instrumental snippet at Willow, which you can listen to while you deciding how many copies to purchase. I made a backing on Band in a Box to sing along to.
1 Lord, we have gathered in the grain, warmed by sun and blessed by rain,
To make the bread we offer you.
Bread, symbol of the life we share, will be blessed, offered in prayer,
And truly be Jesus, the Bread of Life.
Take this bread, gift of our labour.
Take our lives, life giving Saviour. Bless our gifts!
2 Lord, we have harvested the vine; gift of earth, poured forth as wine;
Work of our hands offered to you.
Wine, symbol of the love we share, will be gift beyond compare,
The saving cup of our Redeemer.
Take this wine, gift of our labour.
Take our hearts, Jesus, our Saviour. Bless our gifts!
3 Lord, we have gathered on this day, here to celebrate and pray,
Pray for your grace, pray for your blessing.
Here, we proclaim the love we share, joined as one, our hearts declare
That we will love, always and truly.
Bless our lives, in joy and sadness,
Bless our love, source of all gladness. Bless our gifts!
© 2011 Peter Grant