Take our Bread ( We are Yours, Yours as we Stand)

This Offertory hymn was written in the 1960s by American Roman Catholic performer and composer Joseph Edward (Joe) Wise (b. 1939)

Originally subtitled "An Offertory Hymn", the song was included in an LP recording called "Gonna Sing My Lord " which Wise released under his own Fontaine House label in 1966, and which was distributed by the World Library of Sacred Music (a fore-runner of WLP Publications). Sheet music to accompany it was published later, and today for this copyright is owned by GIA Publications.

With irregular meter, it is set to a tune also by Wise which is simply called TAKE OUR BREAD, which has a 4/4 time signature. In the key of C, the first few notes are EF G GAG FE F.

A suggested set of guitar chords is available here.

The hymn has crossed denominational and cultural boundaries is today used in many countries and settings. It is included in a number of in-print hymnals, including Hymns Old and New - Catholic edition 2009.

Downloads

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Music book for Gonna Sing my Lord - unison and guitar chords

Examples

Church choir with band:

Small group with guitar:

The original recording:

Instrumental - piano arrangement:

Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website.

The song starts with a chorus, which is repeated after each verse. A rough outline is:

Chorus:
Take our bread, we ask You: take our hearts,
We love You. Take our lives,
Oh Father; we are Yours, we are Yours.

1 Yours as we stand at the table You set ...

2 Your holy people standing washed in Your blood ...