Description
A straightforward hymn-anthem by Austin Lovelace, considered by many to be the Dean of American church music composers. Here he pairs an early American hymntune (WEDLOCK) with Rae Whitney’s insightful text which connects three of Jesus’ miracles: the miracle at Cana, the miracle of the loaves and fishes, and the miracle of the Eucharist. The work’s final stanza, in canon at the octave, is classic Lovelace and particularly effective.
Text
"They have no wine," said Mary
to Jesus Christ, her son;
so, seeing her compassion
and love for everyone,
he made new wine from water
to grace tha wedding hall,
so that they said, in wonder,
"This is the best of all."
"We have no bread, dear Master,"
his friends said, in despair,
"just these few loaves and fishes
are all we have to share."
But, when Christ blessed and broke them,
that offering multiplied,
and Jesus fed five thousand
till all were satisfied.
"We have no wine, Lord Jesus,
nor have we any bread."
"Dear children, with my Body
and Blood your souls are fed;
since in true hearts abiding
my Spirit longs to be,
by faith, and with thanksgiving,
come, take, and feed on me!"
--Rae E. Whitney, 1978
© 1994 Selah Publishing Co., Inc. All rights reserved.
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