Hymns are beautiful truths poetically told, hung on a rhythm, and held in a melody. This makes them memorable. Hymn study is extremely simple. Sing the hymn once a day. We’ve provided you links to different versions of “All Creatures of Our God and King” to enjoy and a link to download the sheet music for the hymn. Some of this year’s selections are very familiar, and others are more obscure. In keeping with our Ancients theme, these hymns are older, written before 1700.
Text in English:
All creatures of our God and King,
lift up your voice and with us sing”‘
alleluia, alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam,
thou silver moon with softer gleam,
O sing ye, O sing ye, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Thou rushing wind that art so strong,
ye clouds that sail in heav’n along,
alleluia, alleluia!
Thou rising morn in praise rejoice,
ye lights of evening, find a voice,
O sing ye, O sing ye, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Thou flowing water, pure and clear,
make music for thy God to hear,
alleluia, alleluia!
Thou fire so masterful and bright,
that givest all both warmth and light,
O sing ye, O sing ye, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Dear mother earth, who day by day,
unfoldest blessings on our way,
alleluia, alleluia!
The flow’rs and fruits that in thee grow,
let them God’s glory also show,
O sing ye, O sing ye, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
And ev’ryone, with tender heart,
forgiving others, take your part,
alleluia, alleluia!
Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
sing praise and cast on God your care,
O sing ye, O sing ye, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
And thou, most kind and gentle death,
waiting to hush our final breath,
alleluia, alleluia!
Thou leadest home the child of God,
as Christ before that way hath trod,
O sing ye, O sing ye, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Let all things their Creator bless,
and worship God in humbleness,
alleluia, alleluia!
To God all thanks and praise belong!
Join in the everlasting song:
O sing ye, O sing ye, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Source: Voices Together #81 https://hymnary.org/text/all_creatures_of_our_god_and_king
Hymn Story:
St. Francis of Assisi lived from 1182 to 1226 AD. That means he was alive during the time that knights were riding horses into the crusades. Francis had been born into a wealthy family, but after a rather sinful youth, he gave up his inheritance and said goodbye to his family, taking the vows of a Catholic monk. He lived a very simple life, close to nature. He traveled from village to village, sleeping in caves. He composed the poem on which “All Creatures of Our God and King” is based near the end of his life.
William Henry Draper was a leader in the Anglican church who translated St. Francis of Assisi’s poem into English and set it to music for the first time, using a tune that he found in a hymn book. Ralph Vaughan Williams arranged the tune for the English Hymnal.
https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-saints-canticle-of-the-sun
