This edition was prepared by Andrew Sims — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Draw nigh and take the Body of the Lord
Staff Notation • Sacred, Hymns
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2 editions of this piece
Different typesettings and voicings of the same work. This page shows the main edition; the others are below.
SATB · Andrew Sims
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Draw nigh and take the Body of the Lord by Orlando Gibbons — Lyrics
Draw nigh and take the Body of the Lord,
and drink the holy Blood for you outpoured.
Saved by that Body and that holy Blood,
with souls refreshed, we render thanks to God.
Salvation’s giver, Christ, the only Son,
by his dear cross and blood the victory won.
Offered was he for greatest and for least,
himself the Victim, and himself the Priest.
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About Draw nigh and take the Body of the Lord
Orlando Gibbons's setting of Draw nigh and take the Body of the Lord is a cornerstone of English sacred music. Written for SATB choir, this hymn is a profound reflection on the Eucharist. The text, deeply devotional, invites believers to partake in communion, emphasizing Christ's sacrifice and the spiritual nourishment offered through the sacrament. Gibbons's masterful setting imbues the words with a solemn dignity, its rich harmonies and clear melodic lines providing a fitting musical expression for this significant moment of Christian observance. This anthem has long been cherished for its devotional depth and its eloquent portrayal of eucharistic theology, making it a staple in liturgical settings and choral repertoire.
