Break Thou the Bread of Life | Mary Lathbury, Alexander Groves, William Sherwin|A Cappella/SATB Hymn

Lyricist: Mary A. Lathbury, verses 3-4 Alexander Groves
Composer: William F. Sherwin
In 1877, Mary A. Lathbury (1841-1913), came up with the idea of writing hymns for the Chautauqua Lake Sunday School Assembly camp. For the Bible studies of the Normal Classes (teacher education), she wrote these words, “Break thou the bread of life.” William F. Sherwin (1826-1888), music director of the Assembly and an editor for Biglow & Main, set it to music. The hymn was published in Chautauqua Carols: A Collection of Favorite Songs Suitable for All Sunday School Services (1878). Lathbury’s original text consisted of only two stanzas. Alexander Groves (1842-1909) wrote two additional stanzas that were first published in The Methodist Hymn-Book (1904)
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~Lyrics~
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.
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