This Is the Hour of Banquet and of Song

Representative Text

1. This is the hour of banquet and of song;
this is the heavenly table spread for me;
here let me feast, and feasting, still prolong
the brief, bright hour of fellowship with thee.

2. Too soon we rise; we go our several ways;
the feast, though not the love, is past and gone,
the Bread and Wine consumed: yet all our days
thou still art here with us—our Shield and Sun.

3. Feast after feast thus comes and passes by,
yet, passing, points to the glad feast above,
giving us foretaste of the festal joy,
the Lamb's great marriage feast of bliss and love.

Source: The Hymnal 1982: according to the use of the Episcopal Church #316

Author: Horatius Bonar

Horatius Bonar was born at Edinburgh, in 1808. His education was obtained at the High School, and the University of his native city. He was ordained to the ministry, in 1837, and since then has been pastor at Kelso. In 1843, he joined the Free Church of Scotland. His reputation as a religious writer was first gained on the publication of the "Kelso Tracts," of which he was the author. He has also written many other prose works, some of which have had a very large circulation. Nor is he less favorably known as a religious poet and hymn-writer. The three series of "Hymns of Faith and Hope," have passed through several editions. --Annotations of the Hymnal, Charles Hutchins, M.A. 1872… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: This is the hour of banquet and of song
Title: This Is the Hour of Banquet and of Song
Author: Horatius Bonar (1808-1889, alt.)
Meter: 10.10.10.10
Language: English

Tune

CANTICUM REFECTIONIS


MORESTEAD

Sydney Watson (b. Manchester, England, 1903; d. Banbury, Oxfordshire, England, 1991) composed MORESTEAD, which is considered one of his best tunes. Its initial "rocket" motif, its melodic contour, and its "walking" bass are a fine match for Bayly's text. Intended for unison singing at two beats (not…

Go to tune page >


Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 2 of 2)
Text

The Hymnal 1982 #316

Text

The Hymnal 1982 #317

Include 4 pre-1979 instances
Suggestions or corrections? Contact us