Day Thirty Nine - The Song of the Supper

1. The time was early evening

the place a room upstairs

the guests were the disciples

few in numbers, few in prayers:

O the bread comes from the baker

the drink comes from the vine

the words come from our Saviour:

“I’ll meet you in bread and wine”.

2. The company of Jesus

had met to share a meal

the one who made them welcome

had much more to reveal:

3. “The bread and body broken

the wine and blood outpoured

the cross and kitchen table

are one by sign and word.”

4. On both sides of the table

on both sides of the grave

the Lord joins those who love him

to serve them and to save.

5. Lord Jesus, now among us

confirm our faith’s intent

as, with your words and actions,

we share this sacrament.

The Song of the Supper by John L. Bell

© Wild Goose Resource Group, Iona Community, Glasgow G2 3DH. www.wgrg.co.uk

I remember being told, “Don’t look at the missing verses, there’s no special reason. It’s a long hymn and we’re short on time”. So, of course, I’d look at the omitted verses! I have used this hymn only a couple of times, as it was written to the tune Afton Waters and I’m not familiar with the tune. (Don’t tell J Bell, but when I used it we didn’t sing the chorus after each verse and I made four longer verses of 7676D.) The singers in the video clip have gone the more traditional route and dropped a verse. But why? Is the fourth verse missing due to theological problems or time constraints?

The hymn obviously recalls the Last Supper. (Although any worship leaders who follow the Lectionary know that on Maundy Thursday the Gospel reading is from John which features foot washing but no talk of bread and wine.) So when can it be sung?

A phrase from verse four puzzles me: “on both sides of the table”. Surely Jesus is host at this table? “On both sides of the grave”; this is easier to understand, Jesus is with us in our earthly lives and after our deaths.

My favourite verse is the third. As Congregationalists we are memorialists, based on Luke 22:19 “Do this in remembrance of me". This is often carved into the (communion) table – but when we commemorate the Lord’s Supper, we cover it with a cloth! Bell’s verse links the bread and wine with the body and blood but makes no hint at transubstantiation or even the spiritual presence of Jesus being within the elements. To me, he validates the non-conformist idea that they are just bread and wine but without denigrating other practices. “The cross and kitchen table are one by sign and word” make me think. Both were basic wooden constructions found at the time but the link is more than that: we cannot eat and drink without remembering Jesus’ death but the cross also points back to the meal, where Jesus explained the New Covenant.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, when we sing hymns or songs to you, encourage us to engage with the words both emotionally and intellectually.

Jesus our Saviour, when we sing familiar words, help us to focus on what is important: worship.

Holy Spirit, when we attempt new tunes or lyrics, remind us that all hymns were new once, and our aim should be to “make a joyful noise”. Amen.

Elaine Kinchin