The author and composer of this Afro-American spiritual are unknown. It refers to some very traditional Eucharistic practices eg facing east while praying and celebrating Eucharist. Iit appears that there have been very few cases where alternative words are set to the tune.
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Examples
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Lyrics
Let us break bread together on our knees,
Let us break bread together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me.
Let us drink wine together on our knees,
Let us drink wine together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me.
Let us praise God together on our knees,
Let us praise God together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me.
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- Hymns about Eucharist
- Gospel-style hymns
Negro spiritual Let us break bread together on our knees, (on our knees) Let us drink wine together on our knees, (on our knees) Let us praise God together on our knees, (on our knees)
let us break bread together on our knees. (on our knees)
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me. (on me)
let
us drink wine together on our knees. (on our knees)
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me. (on me)
let us praise God together on our knees. (on our knees)
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me. (on me)
Let us praise God together on our knees, (on our knees)
let us praise God together on our
knees. (on our knees)
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy if you please. (if you please)
Let Us Break Bread Together Story
‘Let Us Break Bread Together’ follows in the tradition of most negro spirituals in its simplicity in both words and tune. Negro spirituals were mostly composed by black American slaves with no western training in music.
Some scholars believe that the slaves simply added words to African traditional folk tunes they had left behind in Africa.
This hymn or spiritual has found use among young people as it is easy to accompany it with acoustic guitars and therefore lends itself to a freer form of worship.
It has also gradually found acceptance among the older Christians as well. This is clearly shown by its inclusion in many hymn books and albums such as the late 1970s album The Old Rugged Cross by long-standing and revered gospel singer George Beverly Shea.
This song is used during communion services. It reminds us of our spiritual food and drink presented through the bread and wine during holy communion.
Let Us Break Bread Together YouTube Video.
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