Bread for the World

I came across this song by Bernadette Farrell when going through Spirit & Song looking for new communion songs.  I was initially taken with the text and was pleased to find the tune was just as good. We have used it, but not frequently unfortunately. You can hear a sample and buy the sheet music here. This choir sings it forever but can only be heard properly from several minutes in. You can hear the original in full here.

We can’t do it quite as slowly as intended – my backing is at 65 bpm.

Refrain
Bread for the world:
a world of hunger.
Wine for all peoples:
people who thirst.
May we who eat
be bread for others.
May we who drink
pour out our love.

1. Lord Jesus Christ,
you are the bread of life,
broken to reach
and heal the wounds
of human pain.
Where we divide your people,
you are waiting there
on bended knee
to wash our feet with endless care.

Refrain

2. Lord Jesus Christ,
you are the wine of peace,
poured into hearts once broken
and where dryness sleeps.
Where we are tired and weary,
you are waiting there
to be the way which beckons us
beyond despair.

Refrain

3. Lord Jesus Christ,
you call us to your feast,
at which the rich and pow’rful
have become the least.
Where we survive on others
in our human greed,
you walk among us
begging for your ev’ry need.

Refrain

© Bernadette Farrell 1990.