Welcome to the first Song Notes blog post! I had wanted to begin these postings with a new tune, but alas, due to the pandemic and scheduling difficulties I am postponing the previously intended song until the necessary final tracks can be added. This week we will highlight an older re-tuned hymn entitled In Mercy Broken.
The original hymn was written in 1827 by Reginald Heber (of Holy, Holy, Holy fame) and known by its longer name, Bread of the World, In Mercy Broken.
Reginald Heber was born in 1783 to a wealthy and educated family in Cheshire, England. He achieved fame as a poet at the University of Oxford. He was ordained in 1807 when he took over his father’s parish, and began writing hymns and general literature. After serving sixteen years, he became the Bishop of Calcutta until his death at the age of 42 in 1826, after serving less than three years. During that time he traveled widely across India, and worked tirelessly to improve the lives and living conditions of the people. He is perhaps most well known for his hymn Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, probably the most popular Trinity Sunday hymn of all time due in part to its famous tune (Nicea), written by John Bachuss Dykes.
Heber’s text for In Mercy Broken is a plea, asking God to look on us with mercy and feed us with His abundant grace. It is written in two stanzas, but is meant to be read/sung as one continuos thought. Using the poetic and concrete imagery of the “bread of the world” and “wine of the soul”, the hymn invites us to confess our sins and accept God’s divine grace through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.
I included this hymn on the Intown record, Communion, Vol. I, as a meditation and devotional song to reflect on while partaking of the Lord’s Supper.
The gorgeous lead vocals are courtesy of Dana Dirksen, my friend and an incredibly talented singer/songwriter. Enjoy!
In Mercy Broken
Bread of the world in mercy broken, wine of the soul in mercy shed;
By whom the words of life were spoken, and in whose death our sins are dead.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Look on the heart by sorrow broken, look on the tears by sinners shed;
And be thy feast to us the token that by thy grace our souls are fed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!