Break Thou the Bread of Life
Words: Mary Artemesia Lathbury (1841–1913)
Music: Bread of Life | William Fiske Sherwin (1826–1888)
1. Break Thou the bread of life, dear Lord, to me,
As Thou didst break the loaves beside the sea;
Beyond the sacred page I seek Thee, Lord;
My spirit pants for Thee, O living Word!
2. Bless Thou the truth, dear Lord, to me, to me,
As Thou didst bless the bread by Galilee;
Then shall all bondage cease, all fetters fall;
And I shall find my peace, my all in all.
3. Thou art the bread of life, O Lord, to me,
Thy holy Word the truth that saveth me;
Give me to eat and live with Thee above;
Teach me to love Thy truth, for Thou art love.
4. O send Thy Spirit, Lord, now unto me,
That He may touch my eyes, and make me see:
Show me the truth concealed within Thy Word,
And in Thy Book revealed I see the Lord.
Alternate Version:
1. Break Thou the bread of life, dear Lord, to me,
As Thou didst break the loaves beside the sea;
Within the sacred page I seek Thee, Lord;
My spirit pants for Thee, O living Word!
2. Break Thou the bread of life, O Lord, to me,
That hid within my heart Thy word may be:
Mould Thou each inward thought, from self set free,
And let my steps be all controlled by Thee.
3. Open Thy word of truth, that I may see
Thy message written clear and plain for me;
Then in sweet fellowship walking with Thee,
Thine image on my life engraved will be.
4. Bless Thou the truth, O Lord, to me, to me,
As Thou didst bless the bread by Galilee;
Then shall all bondage cease, all fetters fall;
And I shall find my peace, my all in all.