Of the Glorious Body Telling

Of the glorious body telling,
O my tongue, its myst'ries sing,
And the blood, all price excelling,
Which the world’s eternal King,
In a noble womb once dwelling,
Shed for this world’s ransoming.

Giv'n for us, for us descending,
Of a virgin to proceed,
With us all in converse blending,
Scattered he the Gospel seed,
Till his sojourn drew to ending
Which he closed in wondrous deed.

At the last great supper lying
Circled by his chosen band,
Meekly with the law complying,
First he finished its command;
Then, immortal food supplying,
Gave himself with his own hand.

Word made flesh, by word ordaining
Very bread his flesh to be;
We, in wine Christ’s blood obtaining,
And, if senses fail to see,
Faith alone will wake those straining
To behold the mystery. Amen

Therefore we, before him bending,
This great sacrament revere:
Types and shadows have their ending,
For the newer rite is here;
Faith, our outward sense befriending,
Makes the inward vision clear.

Glory let us give, and blessing
To the Father and the Son;
Honor, might, and praise addressing,
While eternal ages run;
Ever, too, the Spirit blessing,
Who, from both, with both is one.

Amen