O Food of Exiles Lowly

This hymn about the Eucharist is translation of Mainz Gesangbuch's O Esca Viatorum.

Based on John 6: 41-51, it was translated to English by M Owen Lee (b 1930).

With meter 7.7.6.7.7.8, tunes it has been set to include:

INNSBRUCK by Heinrich Isaak, (c1460- c1527) - the most commonly used tune
PICARDY - from a 17th century folksong (obviously with some stretching to fit the meter).

Downloads

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Examples

Solo, unaccompanied:

Instrumental - improvision on the organ:

Lyrics

O Food of exiles lowly,
O Bread of angels holy,
O Manna from on high!
We hunger for your blessing,
All good in you possessing,
With favor hear our heart's outcry.

O cleansing water, streaming
From Jesus' side, redeeming
All those of Adam's race!
O quenching fountain flowing,
Our ev'ry want bestowing,
O come and fill our souls with grace.

O Lord, we kneel before you
And fervently adore you,
All hid beneath this bread.
But make to us this promise:
To see you in your fullness,
The sacred body's mystic head.