Draw Near and Take the Body - Traditional

Draw near and take the body of your Lord,
And drink the holy blood for you outpoured.
Offered was He for greatest and for least,
Himself the victim and Himself the priest.

He who His saints in this world rules and shields,
To all believers life eternal yields;
With heavenly bread makes them that hunger whole,
Gives living waters to the thirsty soul.

Come forward then with faithful hearts sincere,
And take the pledges of salvation here.
O Judge of all, our only Savior, Thou,
In this dear feast of love be with us now.

Draw Near and Take the Body lyrics (Sancti venite corpus Christi sumite) represent one of the oldest known Eucharistic hymns originating from the Irish Antiphonary of Bangor. The song celebrates the redemptive power of the blood of Christ and the mystery of the bread of life. It calls on believers to draw near with faith and take the holy body of the Lord. By singing these lyrics the congregation connects with the earliest traditions of the Church honoring the sacrificial love of Jesus and the ongoing grace provided through the memorial of His death and resurrection in the life of the community.