Idina Menzel’s “At This Table” Gets It Right in So Many Ways

Out for the Christmas/Hanukkah holidays, Idina Menzel’s Song “At This Table” is an invitation that accomplishes something the church and the Christian music industry can’t seem to reach. The song presents a vision of meals where people who are different from each other do the hard work of welcoming each other across boundaries of race, culture, religion, sexual orientation, and more.

Menzel, who is Jewish, co-wrote the Song with Jonas Myrin, who is well known for his work in the Christian music industry, working first with Hillsong in London and later winning two Grammys with Matt Redman for the song “10,000 Reasons.” Their collaboration opens up a space for sharing table in ways that are both refreshing and important in this era of resurgent bigotry and religious intolerance.

By itself, the vision presented in “At This Table” may not be Holy Communion—there’s no overtly religious language or symbolism, there’s no attempt to address brokenness, or class, or feed those who are hungry. Still, it captures an aspect missing in most of our Communion rites. By working in this unique space—interfaith collaboration for the secular music market—Menzel and Myrin are able to accomplish something remarkable. See what you think.

Here are the lyrics:

At this table, everyone is welcome
At this table, everyone is seen
At this table, everybody matters
No one falls between
At this table, you can say whatever
At this table, you can speak your mind
At this table, everything’s forgiven
There’s enough for everyone

So come as you are
Remember that the door is always open
Yes, come as you are
The perfect gift that you can bring is your heart
So, come, come as you are

At this table, there will be no judgement
At this table, mercy has a seat
At this table, we’re all sons and daughters
There’s no place I’d rather be

So come as you are
Remember that the door is always open
Come as you are
The perfect gift that you can bring is your heart
Come
Come as you are
Come as you are, oh

At this table, everyone is welcome
At this table, everybody cares
At this table, everybody matters
So, come, pull up a chair