Seed Scattered and Sown

This hymn about the Eucharist was written by American Roman Catholic pastoral musician, Dan Feiten.

It was originally published in 1987 by Ekklesia Music, which Feiten was a founder-member of, and it is now managed by their publisher, International Liturgy Publications.

Hymn books that it has been published in include

Celebration Hymnal for Everyone, 1994 McCrimmon Publications
Catholic Book of Worship, Canada
Gather Comprehensive, 2nd edition

It is set to a tune by Feiten, which has sometimes been called SEED SCATTERED. This has a 4/4 time signature. In the key of C, the first few notes are G_ EFG C_ A_ GE F G_ with accompanying chords C / G / Am / F / G C.

Field of wheat and other plants growing in the sunlight undereneath a blue sky: Seed, scattered and sown, wheat, gathered and grown, bread, broken and shared as one, the living Bread of God. Vine, fruit of the land, wine, work of our hands, one cup that is shared by all, the living Cup, the living Bread of God. 1. Is not the bread we break, a sharing in our Lord? Is not the cup we bless, the blood of Christ outpoured? 2. The seed which falls on rock will wither and will die. The seed within good ground will flower and have life. 3. As wheat upon the hills was gathered and was grown, so may the church of God be gathered into one.

Downloads

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Choral arrangement (SATB) with Piano, Guitar, Flute, by Dan Feiten

Guitar + words sheet music from ILP

Examples

Small choir with piano - professional recording:

Solo singer, self-accompanied on guitar:

Small folk-group with band, recorded live in a church service:

Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website. A rough outline is:

Refrain:
Seed, scattered and sown,
wheat, gathered and grown,
bread, broken and shared as one,
the living Bread of God.
Vine, fruit of the land,
wine, work of our hands,
one cup that is shared by all,
the living Cup, the living Bread of God.

1. Is not the bread we break, a sharing in our Lord?
Is not the cup we bless, the blood of Christ out-poured?

2. The seed which falls on rock will wither and will die.
The seed within good ground will flower and have life.

3. As wheat upon the hills was gathered and was grown,
So may the church of God be gathered into one.