When through the desert vast

When through the desert vast
The chosen tribes were led,
They could not plough, nor till, nor sow,
Yet never wanted bread.

Around their wandering camp,
The copious manna fell;
Strewed on the ground, a food they found,
But what they could not tell.

But better bread by far
Is now to Christians given;
Poor sinners eat immortal meat,
The Living Bread from heaven.

We eat the flesh of Christ,
Who is the Bread of God;
Their food was coarse compared with ours,
Though theirs was angels' food.