Getting back to As One Voice: the Next Generation takes us to No 80, “Jesus, Bread of Life” by Amanda McKenna. This song is an old fashioned waltz and a bit of a Swiss army knife of a song. The refrain could be used as a communion mantra, refrain + verse one as a gospel acclamation, verse 4 for last week’s gospel, etc. She even has an extra verse for advent. In other words she is as liturgically useful as anything.
You can buy the sheet music for download at As One Voice and if you look around their site you’ll find Amanda has put up many other instrumental parts for sale.
My backing is just the song as written with five verses. She alters the tune in some of the verses just enough to drive the assembly crazy I suspect, but it is a useful song nonetheless.
Refrain
Jesus, bread of life, cup of love poured out for us.
Jesus, lamb of God, holy one, gift of peace.
Verse 1
No-one can live on bread alone,
But ev’ry word from the mouth of God.
Refrain
Verse 2
This is my son, my beloved one.
He is my delight, listen to him.
Refrain
Verse 3
Those who drink this water I shall give
Will have welling springs of eternal life.
Refrain
Verse 4
Lord rubbed my eyes and I could see,
And I believed, believed in God.
Refrain
Verse 5
All those who live and believe in me
Will never die forever, says the Lord.
Refrain
© Amanda McKenna 2006.