No. 114 Holy Manna, Hoc 122
Pentatonic, mode 3 (I II III — V VI —)
Brethren, we have met to worship
And adore the Lord our God,
Will you pray with all your power
While we try to preach the word?
All is vain unless the spirit
Of the holy One comes down;
Brethren, pray, and holy manna
Will be showered all around.
Brethren, see poor sinners round you,
Trembling on the brink of wo;
Death is coming, hell is moving,
Can you bear to let them go?
See our fathers, see our mothers
And our children sinking down;
Brethren, pray, and holy manna
Will be showered all around.
Is there here a trembling jailor
Seeking grace and fill’d with fears?
Is there here a weeping Mary,
Pouring forth a flood of tears?
Brethren, join your cries to help them;
Sisters, let your prayers abound;
Pray, O pray that holy manna
May be scatter’d all around.
Two more stanzas are in SOH 103. This rousing song, still immensely popular, was claimed (probably first recorded) by William Moore, compiler of the Columbian Harmony, in 1825. Subsequent compilers have allowed his claim to stand. Found also, KNH 88, OSH 59, HH 244, SOC 191, HOC 107, WP 89, TZ 301, GOS 340, PB 291. The numerous imitations which flattered this tune are exemplified by GOS 243 and 633, and REV 148. For negro adoptions see WS 268.