Tune: Golden Sheaves
(\'To thee, O Lord, our hearts we raise\')
Deuteronomy 26 v.1-11 parts
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At first fruits, harvest festival*
The people presented all
In baskets first fruits of the land
Provided by God\'s good hand
And then the story they did tell
Which did have an outcome well
Though they were in Egypt oppressed
And in troubles sore distressed
But they became a great nation
With many daughters and sons
And when they to the Lord God cried
He helped them, it not denied
He saw their labour, affliction
The oppression of each one
And brought them forth with mighty hand
To enter the Promised Land
A land that with milk and honey
Flows, satisfies needs freely
And here before you, Lord, they set
What through your grace did each get
They now do worship here before
You who are their Lord God sure
Friends, strangers, neighbours here rejoice
Supplied again goods fresh, choice* (*e.g. best quality)
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* This is the festival of the first produce of harvest, held apx end May / early June.
The harvest around apx. September / October is called Ingathering / Booths / Shelters.