I enjoy playing this song by Dan Schutte and it makes a lively Eucharist song. You can hear the original here, but don’t expect it to live up to the instruction on the sheet music to be actually lively. A tour of Youtube versions will, however, show even more turgid, slow and most definitely NOT lively versions … what to do?
I general avoid changing a song that a talented songwriter has gone to so much trouble over, but here I made an exception. I’ve upped the tempo to 180 bpm and removed the bar leading into the verse and I think it makes more sense musically and flows much better from chorus to verse. The chorus is joyful and yes, lively, and we sing the verse more quietly building up through the last line back to the chorus. When we play it like that it is just about my favourite communion hymn.
It can be purchased for download at OCP.
Refrain
Come to the feast of heaven and earth!
Come to the table of plenty!
God will provide for all that we need,
here at the table of plenty.
Verse 1
O come and sit at my table
where saints and sinners are friends.
I wait to welcome the lost and lonely
to share the cup of my love.
Refrain
Verse 2
O come and eat without money;
come to drink without price.
My feast of gladness will feed your spirit
with faith and fullness of life.
Refrain
Verse 3
My bread will ever sustain you
through days of sorrow and woe.
My wine will flow like a sea of gladness
to flood the depths of your soul.
Refrain
Verse 4
Your fields will flower in fullness;
your homes will flourish in peace.
For I, the giver of home and harvest,
will send my rain on the soil.
Refrain
© Daniel Schutte 1992.
More learning curve material adding VST instruments to BIAB: