O Lord, Who on that last sad eve,

Ere Thou didst die to save our race,

The fruits of this Thy Death didst leave

In our New-covenant Meal of Grace;

For this, of all Thy Gifts the best,

Thy Holy Name be praised and blest!

New life, through Thy life-giving Blood,

This Sacramental Cup bestows;

We take and eat this hallowed Food,

And call to mind Thy dying Woes;

Thy Wounds, Thy Cross, Thy bitter Pain,

Our thoughts recall them each again.

We hail an added Sign and Seal,

Anew on burdened hearts impressed,

That Thy deep Wounds our wounds can heal;

Thy Love has set our fears at rest,

Cancelled the debt we could not pay,

Torn up and thrown the bond away.

The cords more firmly here we tie,

That close with Thee our souls unite;

The flame of Love mounts up on high,

And rules with all-subduing might:

This sacred Rite can grace afford,

To make us one with Thee, O Lord.

With strength anew from Thee derived,

The strength Thy Flesh and Blood impart,

Here feels his inner life revived

Each guest who comes with faithful heart;

With fresh resolve once more begin

The works of Faith, the wars with sin.

With all Thy members, Christ our Head,

We cherish thus communion sweet;

To drink One Cup, to eat One Bread,

This makes our union more complete:

One Soul unites our brother-band,

Possessors of this Covenant land.

Thy Flesh a solemn pledge conveys,

That our weak flesh, though here it dies,

Like herbs brought forth by dews and rays,

A glorious body shall arise,

Which, when this pilgrim state is o’er,

Shall live with Thee for evermore.

O Lamb of God, such precious gifts

Are in this holy Banquet stored,

The soul from earth to heaven it lifts,

In faith to feed at this Thy Board:

How high the Feast, the gain how vast,

Where Thou Thyself art our Repast.