Hymn #173: You Have Come down to the Lakeshore

Cesáreo Gabaráin (1936-1991) based this text on the calling of Peter and Andrew as recorded in the Gospels. The hymn was first printed in a small booklet and has since been translated into more than eighty languages.

Cesáreo Gabaráin was born in Hernani, Spain, on May 16, 1936. He studied theology and was ordained to the Roman Catholic priesthood. In addition to serving as a parish priest, he was Spanish chaplain to Pope Paul VI. Gabaráin died on April 30, 1991, at Mondragon, Spain.

Cesáreo Gabaráin wrote this melody to accompany his text. The name of the tune, PESCADOR DE HOMBRES, was the original title by which the song was known in Spain. Skinner Chávez-Melo (1944-1992) provided the harmonization in Albricias (1987), a songbook he edited for the Protestant Episcopal Church.

Cesáreo Gabaráin spent his life as a Roman Catholic priest in Spain, serving various parishes. In addition, he became a leading composer of congregational music and served as president of a Spanish liturgical music association.