Unlike ‘Comfort, comfort’ I remember very little about the writing of this song. The date attached to it tells me that it was 1976, the year I wrote a big number of songs. The style says I probably worked most of it out on piano, even though it’s a bossa nova rhythm which is more guitar. Which came first, words or music? I don’t know. They often happen together, though either may be changed completely along the way.
As with many of my songs, it’s both a prayer & a faith-statement: v.1 is all prayer, in v.2 only lines 2,4 & 8, & in v.3 lines 3 & 4, 7 & 8. The themes that are strong are found in many of my songs: love, mercy, promise, trust & the closeness of God (‘God is here, oh, so near’)
It’s a slow song, & done this way it gives space & time to the words. I always like to start it simple, add a little in verse 2, then fill it out in verse 3.
It’s been chosen for tomorrow at St Stephen’s & I’m pleased to be part of the music group that’ll play it.
‘May we always feed on you, on the bread that is true’
