lord of the harvest

lord of the harvest, once again,
we thank thee for the ripened grain;
for crops safe carried, sent to cheer
thy servants through another year;
for all sweet holy thoughts supplied
by seed time, and by harvest tide.

the bare dead grain, in autumn sown,
its robe of vernal green it puts on;
glad from its wintry grave it springs,
fresh garnished by the king of kings;
so, lord, to those who sleep in thee
shall new and glorious bodies be.

nor vainly of thy word we ask
a lesson from the reaper’s task:
so shall thine angels issue forth:
the tares be burnt; the just of earth,
to wind and storm exposed no more,
be gathered to their father’s store.

daily, o lord, our prayers be said,
as thou hast taught, for daily bread;
but not alone our bodies feed,
supply our fainting spirits’ need:
o bread of life, from day to day
be thou their comfort, food, and stay.