It was written by American Roman Catholic Sister of Mercy and teacher Suzanne Toolan RSM (b
1927) in 1964 for a for a San Francisco archdiocesan event, and
was used widely in the Charismatic movement and in the wider church.
Sr Suzanne has revised the lyrics to an inclusive-language version which is used in recent publications, although many people still use the original version.
The song has many critics: the vocal range is large, some people do not approve of any song which has Jesus' words in the first person, and verses 2-3 need to be sung very carefully to fit into the tune. Despite this, it is a very popular Eucharistic hymn, has been translated into languages including Slavic, Korean and Spanish (Yo Soy el Pan de Vida) - ref. and it has crossed denominational boundaries to be used in a range of churches.
With irregular meter it is set to an unnamed tune. This has a 4/4 time signature, and in the key of A the first few notes are C CC A, A, E.
Sr Suzanne has revised the lyrics to an inclusive-language version which is used in recent publications, although many people still use the original version.
The song has many critics: the vocal range is large, some people do not approve of any song which has Jesus' words in the first person, and verses 2-3 need to be sung very carefully to fit into the tune. Despite this, it is a very popular Eucharistic hymn, has been translated into languages including Slavic, Korean and Spanish (Yo Soy el Pan de Vida) - ref. and it has crossed denominational boundaries to be used in a range of churches.
With irregular meter it is set to an unnamed tune. This has a 4/4 time signature, and in the key of A the first few notes are C CC A, A, E.
Downloads
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Examples
Singer with guitar
Church choir with piano and violin
Soloist with organ and choir
Choir with piano
Singer with guitar, professional recording
Large choir with electronic organ and band, recorded at an open-air cathedral-based church service:
Professional folk-choir, with guitar
Lyrics
The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website. A rough outline is:1. I am the bread of life, he who comes to Me shall not hunger ...
Chorus (original version)
And I will raise him up,
And I will raise him up,
And I will raise him up on the last day.
2. The bread that I will give ...
3. Unless you eat ...
4. I am the Resurrection ...
5. Yes, Lord, we believe ...
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