Fresh First Fruits

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.