Sweet Sacrament Divine

In order to "complete the observation" of Corpus Christi, I've uploaded one of my favorite hymns.

Some would say that this is an "emotional hymn," but I think that "devout sense and balance" keeps it nicely under control!

It is a Roman Catholic hymn, but today is most used in the Anglican Church, particularly in the "high church" parishes.

There is an old-fashioned, earnest sincerity about this, and I have always been moved by it.

The words and music are by Francis Stanfield (1835-1914). He was an English Catholic priest who worked in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Westminster. He is noted for having written and composed the music for several hymns, most notably Sweet Sacrament divine. He was a son of the painter, and friend of Charles Dickens, Clarkson Frederick Stanfield.

The score is attached below, as well as a photo the painter father, Clarkson Stanfield.

The text is as follows: (only the "final phrases" as the intro)

Sweet Sacrament divine,
Hid in thine earthly home,
Lo, round thy lowly shrine,
With suppliant hearts we come;
Jesus, to thee our voice we raise
In songs of love and heartfelt praise:
Sweet Sacrament divine.

Sweet Sacrament of peace,
Dear home for every heart,
Where restless yearnings cease
And sorrows all depart;
There in thine ear all trustfully
We tell our tale of misery:
Sweet Sacrament of peace.

Sweet Sacrament of rest,
Ark from the ocean's roar,
Within thy shelter blest
Soon may we reach the shore;
Save us, for still the tempest raves,
Save, lest we sink beneath the waves:
Sweet Sacrament of rest.

Sweet Sacrament divine,
Earth's light and jubilee,
In thy far depths doth shine
Thy Godhead's majesty;
Sweet light, so shine on us, we pray,
That earthly joys may fade away:
Sweet Sacrament divine.