Scripture Verse

The Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. Genesis 2:7

Introduction

Words: Bes­sie P. Head, cir­ca 1914.

Music: Spir­it­us Vi­tae Ma­ry J. Ham­mond, cir­ca 1914 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Ham­mond (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
Bessie P. Head (1850–1936)

Lyrics

O breath of life, come sweep­ing through us,
Revive Thy church with life and pow­er;
O Breath of life, come, cleanse, re­new us,
And fit Thy church to meet this hour.

O wind of God, come bend us, break us,
Till hum­bly we con­fess our need;
Then in Thy ten­der­ness re­make us,
Revive, re­store, for this we plead.

O breath of love, come breathe with­in us,
Renewing thought and will and heart;
Come, love of Christ, afresh to win us,
Revive Thy Church in ev­ery part.

O heart of Christ, once brok­en for us,
’Tis there we find our strength and rest;
Our brok­en, con­trite hearts now so­lace,
And let Thy wait­ing Church be blest.

Revive us, Lord! Is zeal abat­ing
While har­vest fields are vast and white?
Revive, us Lord, the world is wait­ing,
Equip Thy Church to spread the light.