The Eucharistic Hymn by Lyra Anglicana

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Nov 10, 1904

The Eucharistic Hymn

By Lyra Anglicana

Calm lay the city in its double sleep, Beneath the paschal moon’s cold, silvery light, That flung broad shadows o’er the rugged steep Of Olivet that night.

But soon the calm was broken, and the sound Of strains all sweet and plaintive filled the air; And deep-toned voices, echoing all around, Made music everywhere.

The holy rite is o’er; the blessed sign Is given to cheer us in this earthly strife; The bread is broken, and outpoured the wine, Symbol of better Life.

The bitter cup of wrath before Him lies; And yet, as up the steep they pass along, The mighty Victim to the sacrifice, They cheer the way with song.

We ne’er can know such sorrow as that night Pierced to the heart the suffering Son of God; And every earthly sadness is but light, To that dark path He trod.

And yet how faint and feeble rise our songs! How oft we linger ’mid the shadows dim, Nor give the glory that to Him belongs In eucharistic hymn!

O for an echo of that chant of praise! O for a voice to sing His mighty love! O for a refrain of the hymns they raise In the bright home above!

Touch Thou our wayward hearts, and let them be In stronger faith to Thy glad service given; Till, o’er the margin of Time’s surging sea, We sing the song of Heaven.

—Lyra Anglicana.