This Eucharist hymn was written by Dutch-American liturgist and composer Omer Westendorf (1916-1997).
With common meter (CM) with refrain, it is set to the tune BICENTENNIAL, composed by Robert Edward Kreutz (1922-1996).
It was the theme song for the International Eucharistic Congress help in 1976 in Philadelphia, USA, and is copyright to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia,1977.
The phrase "Gift of Finest Wheat" is from from Psalm 80.
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Examples
Small choir, on-screen lyrics:
Singer with guitar:
Professional recording, choir with sax(?) and guitar-led band:
An instrumental-only version, with lyrics on screen for practise.
Lyrics
The words are still copyright, so cannot be shown here in full, but they are currently available from this website.
The song starts with a chorus, and there are four verses with the chorus repeated between each one. A rough outline is:
Chorus:
You satisfy the hungry heart with gift of finest wheat,
Come give to us o saving Lord, the bread of
life to eat.
1 As when the shepherd calls his sheep ...
2 With joyful lips we sing to You ...
3 The mystery of your presence Lord ...
4 You give yourself to us O Lord,
See more ...
- Hymns about the Eucharist
- American hymns
Representative text cannot be shown for this hymn due to copyright.
See page scan previews below.
Author: Omer Westendorf
Text Information
- Text Information
- Lectionary Weeks
- Scripture References
- Languages
First Line: | As when a shepherd calls his sheep |
Title: | Gift of Finest Wheat |
Author: | Omer Westendorf (1976) |
Meter: | 8.6.8.6 D |
Language: | English |
Refrain First Line: | You satisfy the hungry heart |
Copyright: | © 1977, Archdiocese of Philadelphia |
- Year A, Easter season, Third Sunday
Related to Luke 24 (NPM) - Year A, Ordinary Time, Proper 20 (25)
- Year B, Easter season, Fourth Sunday
- Year B, Ordinary Time, Proper 12 (17)
- Year C, Lent, Third Sunday
- Year C, Ordinary Time, Proper 7 (12)
- Year C, Ordinary Time, Proper 17 (22)
Notes
Scripture References:
ref. = Ps. 81:16, John 6:35
st. 1 = John 10:14-16
st. 2 = Ps. 34:1
st. 3 = 1 Cor. 10:16
st. 4 = Col. 1:27
st. 5 = John 13:14-15
This beautiful song has become widely recognized as one of the finest recent Lord's Supper hymns, primarily because of its use of biblical images (see Scripture references). The stanzas introduce each of these images in turn, and the refrain repeatedly brings us back to the hymn's controlling thought: God's "gift of finest wheat" is Christ, "the bread of life" (Ps. 81:16; John 6:35). The solid theological text aptly presents many of the central meanings of the sacrament of the Lord's Supper.
Cincinnati poet and publisher Orner Westendorf (b. Cincinnati, OH, 1916) submitted "Gift of Finest Wheat" to a eucharistic-hymn competition that judged it the best out of more than two hundred entries. Westendorfs text and the tune BICENTENNIAL were then printed on a song sheet for use at the 41st Eucharistic Congress, a Roman Catholic convention on the eucharist held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1976 (the year of the USA's bicentennial). Both text and tune have recently been published in various hymnals.
Westendorf has had a rich and varied career in music. Educated at the College Conservatory of the University of Cincinnati, he served as organist and choirmaster of St. Bonaventure Church in Cincinnati (1936-1976). His freelance Bonaventure Choir appeared in many concerts and made numerous recordings. He also taught music in several Cincinnati schools and founded the World Library of Sacred Music in 1950 and I World Library Publications in 1957. Since 1976 he has operated his own consulting agency on church music. Westendorf has written some thirty-five hymn texts and compiled four hymnals, including the People’s Mass Book (1964), which was the first vernacular hymnal in the United States to implement the changes in Roman Catholic worship that Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) had approved.
Liturgical Use:
Lord's Supper, especially during distribution of the bread and wine.
--Psalter Hymnal Handbook
Tune
BICENTENNIAL
Robert E. Kreutz (b. La Crosse, WI, 1922; d. Golden, Colorado, 1996) carefully crafted BICENTENNIAL for this text in Denver, Colorado, in 1976. Though the meter changes frequently, the sung text flows very naturally, with the changing meters unified by melodic and rhythmic motifs. Singing the refrai…
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Timeline
Page Scans
Instances
Instances (1 - 44 of 44)
Catholic Book of Worship III #603
Display Title: Gift of Finest Wheat First Line: As when the shepherd calls his sheep Tune Title: FINEST WHEAT Author: Omer Westendorf Scripture: John 6:25-69; John 10; 1 Corinthians 10:15 Date: 1994 Subject: Body and Blood of Christ | ; Communion Processional Hymns | ; Shepherd |
Catholic Book of Worship III #603
Celebrating Grace Hymnal #468
Display Title: You Satisfy the Hungry Heart First Line: As when the shepherd calls his sheep Tune Title: FINEST WHEAT Author: Omer Westendorf Meter: CM with refrain Scripture: John 6:34; John 10:1-4; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 Date: 2010 Subject: Christian unity | ; Lord's Supper | ; The Church at Worship | Lord's Supper
Celebrating Grace Hymnal #468
Chalice Hymnal #429
Display Title: You Satisfy the Hungry Heart First Line: With joyful lips we sing to you Tune Title: FINEST WHEAT Author: Omer Westendorf Meter: CM w. refrain Date: 1995 Subject: God's Church | The Church at Worship: The Lord's Supper; Lord's Supper | ; The Church at Worship | The Lord's Supper
Chalice Hymnal #429
Church Hymnary (4th ed.) #671
Display Title: You satisfy the hungry heart First Line: With joyful lips we sing to you Tune Title: FINEST WHEAT (BICENTENNIAL) Author: Omer Westendorf (b. 1916) Meter: 86 86 and refrain Scripture: Psalm 81:16; Luke 22:14-19; John 6:34-35; John 13:14-17; John 13:34-35; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 Date: 2005 Subject: The Holy Spirit | The Church Celebrates - Holy Communion
Church Hymnary (4th ed.) #671
Gather (3rd ed.) #940
Display Title: You Satisfy the Hungry Heart First Line: As when the shepherd calls his sheep Tune Title: BICENTENNIAL Author: Omer Westendorf, 1916-1998 Meter: CM with refrain Scripture: John 10:1-6; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 Date: 2011 Subject: Body and Blood of Christ | ; Eucharist | ; Hunger and Thirst | ; Love for Others | ; Love of God for Us | ; Mystery of God | ; Presence of God | ; Service | ; Shepherd | ; Unity |
Gather (3rd ed.) #940
Gather Comprehensive #815
Display Title: You Satisfy the Hungry Heart First Line: As when the shepherd calls his sheep Tune Title: BICENTENNIAL Author: Omer Westendorf, b. 1916 Meter: CM with refrain Scripture: John 10:1-6; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 Date: 1994 Subject: Shepherd |
Gather Comprehensive #815
Glory and Praise (3rd. ed.) #487
Display Title: Gift of Finest Wheat First Line: As when the shepherd calls his sheep Tune Title: BICENTENNIAL Author: Omer Westendorf, 1916-1997 Meter: CM with refrain Scripture: Psalm 78:29; Psalm 81:16; Psalm 145:15-16; Proverbs 9:1-6; Ecclesiastes 5:1-3; John 6:33-35; John 10:1-5; John 10:14-15; John 13:14-17; John 13:34-35; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 1 John 4:7-21 Date: 2015 Subject: Eucharist | ; Good Shepherd | ; Hunger | ; Service Music for Mass | Communion Song; The Liturgical Year | The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi); The Liturgical Year | The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus; Unity |
Glory and Praise (3rd. ed.) #487
Glory to God #523
Display Title: You Satisfy the Hungry Heart First Line: As when the shepherd calls his sheep Tune Title: BICENTENNIAL Author: Omer Westendorf Meter: CM with refrain Scripture: Matthew 26:26-30; Luke 22:17-20; John 6:33-34; John 10:1-6; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Ephesians 3:17; Colossians 3:16-17; Hebrews 13:5 Date: 2013 Subject: Communion | ; Eucharist | ; Harvest | ; Hunger | ; Lord's Supper |
Glory to God #523
Hymnal Supplement 1991 #774
Display Title: You Satisfy The Hungry Heart First Line: As when the shepherd calls his sheep Tune Title: BICENTENNIAL Author: Omer Westendorf, b. 1916 Meter: CM with refrain Scripture: John 10:1-6; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 Date: 1991 Subject: Holy Communion | ; Service | ; Thanksgiving | ; Unity |
Hymnal Supplement 1991 #774
Hymnal Supplement 98 #855
Display Title: You Satisfy the Hungry Heart First Line: As when the shepherd calls his sheep Tune Title: BICENTENNIAL (FINEST WHEAT) Author: Omer Westendorf, 1916-97 Meter: CM and refrain Scripture: Psalm 81:16; John 10:2-4; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 1 John 4:7-21 Date: 1998 Subject: The Lord's Supper |
Hymnal Supplement 98 #855
Hymns for a Pilgrim People #531
Display Title: You Satisfy the Hungry Heart First Line: As when the shepherd calls his sheep Tune Title: BICENTENNIAL Author: Omer Westendorf, 1916-1907 Meter: CM with Refrain Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:16 Date: 2007 Subject: Church | ; Lord's Supper | ; Love | ; Service | ; Shepherd | ; Unity |
Hymns for a Pilgrim People #531
Hymns of Glory, Songs of Praise #671
Display Title: You satisfy the hungry heart First Line: With joyful lips we sing to you Tune Title: FINEST WHEAT (BICENTENNIAL) Author: Omer Westendorf (b. 1916) Meter: 86 86 and refrain Scripture: Psalm 81:16; Luke 22:14-19; John 6:34-35; John 13:14-17; John 13:34-35; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 Date: 2008 Subject: The Holy Spirit | The Church Celebrates - Holy Communion
Hymns of Glory, Songs of Praise #671
Hymns of the Saints #345
Display Title: You Satisfy the Hungry Heart First Line: As when the shepherd calls his sheep Tune Title: GIFT OF FINEST WHEAT Author: Omer Westendorf, 1916 - Scripture: John 6:32-34; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 Date: 1982 Subject: Children of God | ; Christ the Shepherd | ; Commitment | ; Community | ; God the Sustainer | ; Holy Spirit | ; Lord's Supper | ; Mystery | ; Servanthood | ; Thanks, Thanksgiving | ; Unity |
Hymns of the Saints #345
Journeysongs (2nd ed.) #803
Display Title: Gift of Finest Wheat First Line: As when the shepherd calls his sheep Tune Title: BICENTENNIAL Author: Omer Westendorf, 1916-1997 Meter: CM with refrain Scripture: Psalm 78:29; Psalm 80:16 Date: 2003 Subject: Good Shepherd | ; Hunger | ; Service Music for Mass: Liturgy of the Eucharist | Communion Song; Unity |
Journeysongs (2nd ed.) #803
Journeysongs (3rd ed.) #791
Display Title: Gift of Finest Wheat First Line: As when the shepherd calls his sheep Tune Title: BICENTENNIAL Author: Omer Westendorf, 1916-1997 Meter: CM with refrain Scripture: Psalm 78:29; Psalm 81:16; Psalm 145:15-16; Proverbs 9:1-6; Ecclesiastes 5:1-3; John 6:33-35; John 10:1-5; John 10:14-15; John 13:14-17; John 13:34-35; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 1 John 4:7-21 Date: 2012 Subject: Eucharist | ; Good Shepherd | ; Hunger | ; Service Music for Mass | Communion Song; Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest | Communion Song; The Liturgical Year | The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi); The Liturgical Year | The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus; Unity |
Journeysongs (3rd ed.) #791
Lead Me, Guide Me (2nd ed.) #757
Display Title: You Satisfy the Hungry Heart First Line: As when the shepherd calls his sheep Tune Title: BICENTENNIAL Author: Omer Westendorf, 1916-1997 Meter: CM with refrain Scripture: John 10:1-6; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 Date: 2012 Subject: Body and Blood of Christ | ; Communion | ; Eucharist | Sacraments; Hunger and Thirst | ; Love for Others | ; Love of God for Us | ; Mystery of God | ; Presence of God | ; Sacrifice | ; Service | ; Shepherd | ; Unity |
Lead Me, Guide Me (2nd ed.) #757
Lift Up Your Hearts #815
Display Title: Gift of Finest Wheat First Line: As when a shepherd calls his sheep Tune Title: BICENTENNIAL Author: Omer Westendorf Meter: 8.6.8.6 refrain 8.6.8.6 Scripture: Psalm 34:1; Psalm 81:16; John 6:35; John 10:14-16; John 13:14-15; 1 Corinthians 10:16; Colossians 1:27 Date: 2013 Subject: Elements of Worship | Lord's Supper; God's | Mystery; Hunger | ; Jesus Christ | Bread of Life
Lift Up Your Hearts #815
Lutheran Service Book #641
Display Title: You Satisfy the Hungry Heart First Line: As when the shepherd calls his sheep Tune Title: BICENTENNIAL Author: Omer E. Westendorf, 1916-97 Meter: C M and refrain Scripture: Psalm 81:16; John 10:2-4; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 1 John 4:7-21 Date: 2006 Subject: The Lord's Supper |
Lutheran Service Book #641
Moravian Book of Worship #417
Display Title: You Satisfy the Hungry Heart First Line: As when a shepherd calls his sheep Tune Title: BICENTENNIAL Author: Omer Westendorf Meter: C.M. with Refrain Scripture: John 6:34; John 10:3-4; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 Date: 1995 Subject: Christ--Bread of Life | ; Christ--Presence of | ; Christ--Shepherd, the | ; Christian Service | ; Holy Communion |
Moravian Book of Worship #417
One in Faith #540
Display Title: Gift of Finest Wheat First Line: As when the shepherd calls his sheep Tune Title: BICENTENNIAL Author: Omer Westendorf, 1916-1997 Meter: CM with Refrain Date: 2015 Subject: Eucharist |
One in Faith #540
Oramos Cantando = We Pray In Song #761
Display Title: You Satisfy the Hungry Heart (Tú Sacias Todo Corazón) First Line: As when the shepherd calls his sheep (La oveja sigue una voz) Tune Title: BICENTENNIAL Author: Georgina Pando-Connolly, b. 1946; Omer Westendorf, 1916-1997 Meter: CM with refrain Scripture: John 10:1-6; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 Date: 2013 Subject: Amor de Dios para Nosotros | ; Amor Para Otros | ; Hambre y Sed | ; Hunger and Thirst | ; Love for Others | ; Love of God for Us | ; Misterio de Dios | ; Mystery of God | ; Pastor | ; Presence of God | ; Presencia de Dios | ; Rites of the Church | Eucharist; Ritos de la Iglesia | Eucaristía; Sacrifice | ; Sacrificio | ; Service | ; Servicio | ; Shepherd | ; Solemnidades del Señor | Santísimo Cuerpo y Sangre de Cristo; Solemnities of the Lord | Most Holy Body and Blood of christ; Unidad | ; Unity |
Oramos Cantando = We Pray In Song #761
Psalms for All Seasons #81A(alt)
Display Title: Psalm 81 (A Responsorial Setting) First Line: You satisfy the hungry heart Tune Title: BICENTENNIAL (refrain) Author: Omer Westendorf Scripture: Psalm 81 Date: 2012 Subject: Biblical Names and Places | Egypt; Biblical Names and Places | Exodus; Biblical Names and Places | Israel; Biblical Names and Places | Jacob; Biblical Names and Places | Joseph; Biblical Names and Places | Meribah; Church Year | Advent; Covenant | ; Daily Prayer | Evening Prayer; Darkness | ; Elements of Worship | Lord's Supper; Faith | ; Fear | ; God as | Judge; God as | Shepherd; God's | Gifts; God's | People (flock, sheep); God's | Power; God's | Promise of Redemption; God's | Sovereignty; God's | Strength; God's | Wisdom; Judgment | ; Music and Musicians | ; Musical Instruments | ; Rulers | ; Salvation | ; Ten Commandments | 1st Commandment (worship God alone); Ten Commandments | Exodus 20; Year B, Ordinary Time after Epiphany, 9th Sunday | ; Year B, Ordinary Time after Pentecost, May 29-June 4 (if after Trinity Sunday) | ; Year C, Ordinary Time after Pentecost, August 28-September 3 |
Psalms for All Seasons #81A(alt)
Psalter Hymnal (Gray) #300
Display Title: Gift of Finest Wheat First Line: As when a shepherd calls his sheep Tune Title: BICENTENNIAL Author: Omer Westendorf Meter: CM with refrain Scripture: John 10:3-4; John 10:21; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 1 Corinthians 10:17 Date: 1987 Subject: Blood of Christ | ; Bread of Life | ; Lord's Supper | ; Ministry & Service | ; Shepherd, God/Christ as |
Psalter Hymnal (Gray) #300
RitualSong (2nd ed.) #1028
Display Title: You Satisfy the Hungry Heart First Line: As when the shepherd calls his sheep Tune Title: BICENTENNIAL Author: Omer Westendorf, 1916-1998 Meter: CM with refrain Date: 2016 Subject: Eucharist |
RitualSong (2nd ed.) #1028
RitualSong #912
Display Title: You Satisfy the Hungry Heart First Line: As when the shepherd calls his sheep Tune Title: BICENTENNIAL Author: Omer Westendorf, b. 1916 Meter: CM with refrain Scripture: John 10:1-6 Date: 1996 Subject: Body and Blood of Christ | ; Eucharist | ; Giving | ; Love for Others | ; Love of God for Us | ; Mystery of God | ; Service | ; Shepherd | ; Unity |
RitualSong #912
Santo, Santo, Santo #672
Display Title: You Satisfy the Hungry Heart (Tú sacias todo corazón) First Line: As when the shepherd calls his sheep (La oveja sique una voz) Tune Title: BICENTENNIAL Author: Georgina Pando-Connolly, b. 1946; Omer Westendorf, 1916-1997 Meter: CM with refrain Scripture: Matthew 26:26-30; Luke 22:17-20; John 6:33-34; John 10:1-6; John 10:14-18; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Ephesians 3:17; Colossians 3:16-17; Hebrews 13:5 Date: 2019 Subject: Cena del Señor | ; Discipleship | ; Discipulado | ; Jesucristo | Pastor; Jesus Christ | Shepherd; Lord's Supper |
Santo, Santo, Santo #672
The Book of Praise #538
Display Title: You satisfy the hungry heart First Line: As when the shepherd calls the sheep Tune Title: FINEST WHEAT Author: Omer Westendorf, 1916- Meter: 8 6 8 6 CM with Refrain (8 6 8 6) Scripture: Psalm 81:16; John 10:3-4; John 10:14-15; John 13:14-17; John 13:34-35; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 Date: 1997 Subject: Hunger | ; Jesus Christ | Bread of Life; Jesus Christ | Shepherd; Jesus Christ | Union with; Jesus Christ | Unity in; Longing for God and Christ | ; Mystery | ; Sacraments and Ordinances | Communion; Servant / Service |
The Book of Praise #538
The Covenant Hymnal #560
Display Title: You Satisfy the Hungry Heart First Line: As when the shepherd calls his sheep Tune Title: FINEST WHEAT Author: Omer Westendorf, 1916- Meter: C.M.D. with refrain Scripture: Psalm 81:16; Psalm 147:14; John 6:33-34; John 10:4; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 Date: 1996 Subject: 11th Sunday after Pentecost | ; Pulpit Hymns |
The Covenant Hymnal #560
The United Methodist Hymnal #629
Display Title: You Satisfy the Hungry Heart First Line: As when a shepherd calls his sheep Tune Title: GIFT OF FINEST WHEAT Author: Omer Westendorf Meter: CM with Refrain Scripture: John 6:34; John 10:1-5; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 Date: 1989 Subject: Holy Communion | ; Service Music | Following Communion; The Sacraments and Rites of the Church | Eucharist (Holy Communion or The Lord's Supper)
The United Methodist Hymnal #629
Together in Song #539
Display Title: You satisfy the hungry heart First Line: As when the shepherd calls his sheep Tune Title: FINEST WHEAT Author: Omer Westendorf, 1916- Meter: 86.86 D with response Scripture: Psalm 81; John 6:25-35; John 10:1-10; John 10:11-16; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 Date: 1999 Subject: Discipleship | ; Joy | ; Mystery of God's Love | ; People of God | ; Service | ; Thanksgiving | ; Unity of the Church |
Together in Song #539
Voices United #478
Display Title: You Satisfy the Hungry Heart First Line: As when a shepherd calls the sheep Tune Title: FINEST WHEAT (BICENTENNIAL) Author: Omer Westendorf Meter: 8 6 8 6 with refrain Date: 1996 Subject: Choruses and Refrains | ; Hunger | ; Jesus Christ | Blood; Jesus Christ | Shepherd; Lent 3 | Year A; Lent 3 | Year C; liturgical | Communion Songs; Proper 17 | Year C; Proper 18 | Year B; Proper 24 | Year A; Service | ; Service Music | Following Lord's Supper; Thanksgiving | Year C; The Church at Worship | Holy Communion
Voices United #478
With One Voice #711
Display Title: You Satisfy the Hungry Heart (Gift of Finest Wheat) First Line: As when the shepherd calls his sheep Tune Title: BICENTENNIAL Author: Omer Westendorf, b. 1916 Meter: C M and refrain Scripture: Psalm 81:16; Psalm 145:15-16; Proverbs 9:1-6; Isaiah 55:1-3; John 10:27; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 Date: 1995 Subject: Holy Communion |
With One Voice #711
Worship (3rd ed.) #736
Display Title: You Satisfy the Hungry Heart First Line: As when the shepherd calls his sheep Tune Title: BICENTENNIAL Author: Omer Westendorf, b. 1916 Meter: CM with refrain Scripture: John 10:1-6; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 Date: 1986 Subject: Body and Blood of Christ | ; Eucharist | ; Ordinary Time 18, Year A |
Worship (3rd ed.) #736
Worship (4th ed.) #939
Display Title: You Satisfy the Hungry Heart First Line: As when the shepherd calls his sheep Tune Title: BICENTENNIAL Author: Omer Westendorf, 1916-1997 Meter: CM with refrain Date: 2011 Subject: Eucharist |
Worship (4th ed.) #939
Worship and Rejoice #705
Display Title: You Satisfy the Hungry Heart First Line: As when a shepherd calls his sheep Tune Title: FINEST WHEAT Author: Omer Westendorf, 1916-1998 Meter: C.M.Ref. Scripture: Psalm 81:16; Psalm 147:14; John 6:35; John 6:41; John 10:4-18; 1 Corinthians 10:16 Date: 2003
Worship and Rejoice #705