Break Thou The Bread Of Life

Grade Level 1

Year: 2007

Type: Hymn/Song Arrangement

Composer: Robert Redhead

Program Notes:

Mary Ann Lathbury had a great desire to encourage religious and cultural activities. She worked with others to establish the Chautauqua Movement linked with the Chautauqua Methodist Camp on the shores of beautiful Lake Chautauqua near Jamestown, New York. She became affectionately known as “Poet Laureate and Saint of Chautauqua.” “Break Thou the Bread of Life” was written in the summer of 1880 as a theme song for the camp Bible studies. The music was written by William F. Sherwin, the gifted music director of Chautauqua.

A matching Bible verse for people to ponder in conjunction with the song’s words is found in John 6:35, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.”

American Instrumental Ensemble Series (AIES/ABES)