Scripture References:
st. = John 6:35

The first volume of Music from Taizé included mostly Latin texts; when preparing the second volume, G.I.A. president Robert J. Batastini was interested in providing more English texts as well. Working with Brother Robert and Jacques Berthier of the Taizé Community in France, Batastini adapted "Eat This Bread" from John 6:35 on the morning of October 7, 1983, and Berthier composed the music that same afternoon. The volume they were working on was published in 1984. (See PHH 217 for more information about the Taizé Community and their music.)

Batastini intended the hymn for communion processionals that call for a chorus that is easily memorized and sung while people come forward for the communion bread and wine. The Psalter Hymnal prints only the refrain; five stanzas taken from John 6, to be sung by a soloist, are published in Music from Taizé (vol. 2, 1984). The original text of the refrain portrays Christ as the speaker: "Come to me" and “Trust in me.”

Liturgical Use:
Lord's Supper, during distribution of the bread and wine.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

Like JESUS, REMEMBER ME (217), EAT THIS BREAD is a meditative chorus intended to be sung repeatedly and accompanied with various descants; repetitions are more natural when sung as refrains to the solo stanzas. Sing this chorus in harmony without accompaniment, with a song leader indicating dynamics, sometimes forte, sometimes piano.
After several repetitions, intersperse humming to enhance the meditative effect of the singing. Add oboe, flute, recorder, or violin for the instrumental descants. The number of repetitions (with or without stanzas and instrumental descants) may be determined by the worship leaders. It should not be rushed. Use a combination of choir and congregational singing, if you like, perhaps interspersed with instrumentals and humming. One manner of performance is recorded on We Come, 0 Christ, to You (1985), a CRC Publications cassette recording of hymns for worship. Additional descant melodies are published in Music from Taizé (vol. 2; Instrumental Edition, G-2778A).

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook