Lord, who at Cana’s wedding feast
Didst as a Guest appear,
Thou dearer far than earthly guest,
Vouchsafe Thy presence here.
For holy Thou indeed dost prove
The marriage vow to be,
Proclaiming it a type of love
Between the Church and Thee.

This holy vow that man can make,
The golden thread in life,
The bond that none may dare to break,
That bindeth man and wife,
Which, blest by Thee, whate’er betide,
No evil shall destroy,
Through careworn days each care divides
And doubles every joy.

On those who now before Thee kneel,
O Lord, Thy blessing pour,
That each may wake the other’s zeal
To love Thee more and more.
Oh, grant them here in peace to live,
In purity and love,
And, this world leaving, to receive
A crown of life above.

Since Jesus freely did appear
To grace a marriage feast
O Lord, we ask Thy presence here,
To make a wedding Guest.

Upon the bridal pair look down,
Who now have plighted hands;
Their union with Thy favor crown,
And bless the nuptial bands.

With gifts of grace their hearts endow,
Of all rich dowries blest;
Their substance bless, and peace bestow,
To sweeten all the rest.

In purest love their souls unite,
That they with Christian care,
May make domestic burdens light,
By taking mutual share.

As Isaac and Rebecca give
A pattern chaste and kind;
So may this new-met couple live
In faithful friendship joined.

A wedding took place in the village of Cana,
And Jesus, His mother, and followers all came.
The wine was exhausted, and Mary informed Him,
“They have no more wine”—this would surely bring shame.
“Dear woman,” He answered, “why do you involve Me?
My time to be recognized has not yet come.”
His mother then said to the servants there waiting,
“Whatever He tells you, now let it be done.”

Six water jars stood there for ritual washing,
Each holding then full twenty gallons or more.
He said to the servants, “Now fill them with water.”
They filled them brimful; there was no room for more.
Then Jesus instructed, “Take some to the master.”
The water had turned into wine—none knew how.
On tasting, the master exclaimed in amazement,
“The choicest and best wine you’ve saved until now!”

When Jesus turned water to wine there in Cana,
This was the first miracle He’d ever done.
His glory He thus did reveal to the people,
And as a result, His disciples were won.
Lord, may I be like them, believing You fully.
And like the stone water jars, may I e’er be,
Filled up to the brim with Your transforming Spirit.
Reveal now Your glory to others through me.

How welcome was the call,
And sweet the festal lay,
When Jesus deigned in Cana’s hall
To bless the marriage day!

And happy was the bride,
And glad the bridegroom’s heart,
For He Who tarried at their side
Bade grief and ill depart.

His gracious power divine
The water vessels knew;
And plenteous was the mystic wine
The wondering servants drew.

O Lord of life and love,
Come Thou again today;
And bring a blessing from above
That ne’er shall pass away.

O bless, as erst of old,
The bridegroom and the bride;
Bless with the holier stream that flowed
Forth from Thy piercèd side.

Before Thine altar throne
This mercy we implore;
As Thou dost knit them, Lord, in one,
So bless them evermore.