276. Not worthy, Lord, to gather up the crumbs

1 Not worthy, Lord, to gather up the crumbs
With trembling hand, that from thy table fall,
A weary, heavy-laden sinner comes
To plead thy promise and obey thy call.

2 I am not worthy to be thought thy child,
Nor sit the last and lowest at thy board;
Too long a wanderer, and too oft beguiled,
I only ask one reconciling word.

3 I hear thy voice: thou bidd'st me come and rest;
I come, I kneel, I clasp thy pierced feet;
Thou bidd'st me take my place, a welcome guest
Among thy saints, and of thy banquet eat. A-men.

4 My praise can only breathe itself in prayer,
My prayer can only lose itself in thee;
Dwell thou forever in my heart, and there,
Lord, let me sup with thee; sup thou with me.

Amen.

Text Information
First Line: Not worthy, Lord, to gather up the crumbs
Author: Edward Henry Bickersteth, 1825 - 1906
Language: English
Publication Date: 1958
Topic: Sacraments and Rites: Holy Communion
Notes: This hymn may also be sung to PENITENTIA (No. 275) or LANGRAN (No. 366).
Tune Information
Name: ST. FRANCIS
Composer: Giuseppe Moschetti, b.1908
Meter: 10 10, 10 10.
Key: E♭ Major



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