#(define-markup-command (columns layout props args) (markup-list?)
   (let ((line-width (/ (chain-assoc-get 'line-width props
                         (ly:output-def-lookup layout 'line-width))
                        (max (length args) 1))))
     (interpret-markup layout props
       (make-line-markup (map (lambda (line)
                                (markup #:pad-to-box `(0 . ,line-width) '(0 . 0)
                                  #:override `(line-width . ,line-width)
                                  line))
                               args)))))

\markup \columns {
  \column {
	\line {
	        "6. "
	        \column {
			"Human reason, though it ponder,"
			"Cannot fathom this great wonder"
			"That Christ's body e'er remaineth"
			"Though it countless souls sustaineth,"
			"And that He His blood is giving"
			"With the wine we are receiving."
			"These great mysteries unsounded"
			"Are by God alone expounded."
	      }
	   }
	}
  \column {
	\line {
	        "8. "
	        \column {
			"Lord, by love and mercy driven"
			"Thou hast left Thy throne in heaven"
			"On the cross for us to languish"
			"And to die in bitter anguish,"
			"To forego all joy and gladness"
			"And to shed Thy blood in sadness."
			"By this blood, redeemed and living,"
			"Lord, I praise Thee with thanksgiving."
	      }
	   }
	}
}

\markup \columns {
  \column {
	\line {
	   	    "7. "
        	\column {
			"Jesus, Sun of Life, my Splendor,"
			"Jesus, Thou my Friend most tender,"
			"Jesus, Joy of my desiring,"
			"Fount of life, my soul inspiring, --"
			"At Thy feet I cry, my Maker,"
			"Let me be a fit partaker"
			"Of this blessed food from heaven,"
			"For our good, Thy glory, given."
	      }
	   }
	}
  \column {
	\line {
	        "9. "
        	\column {
			"Jesus, Bread of Life, I pray Thee,"
			"Let me gladly here obey Thee."
			"By Thy love I am invited,"
			"Be Thy love with love requited;"
			"From this Supper let me measure,"
			"Lord, how vast and deep love's treasure."
			"Though the gifts Thou here dost give me"
			"As Thy guest in heaven receive me."
	      }
	   }
	}
}