All Creatures of Our God and King

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     The history behind “All Creatures of Our God and King”—St. Francis of Assisi, the gentle preacher who loved the birds and animals of the forest and every manifestation of the natural world, could have left no more fitting legacy than this great hymn to nature. It is a joyous inventory of the blessings heaped upon us by a loving Creator, as each of His creations is urged to join in a chorus of praise. This remarkable hymn was put to the musical arrangement done by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Translation below is by William H. Draper. This program also features contemporary renditions of this hymn.

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
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Oh praise Him, 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 light of evening find a voice
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Oh praise Him, Alleluia.

Thou flowing water pure and clear 
Make music for thy Lord to hear 
Alleluia, Alleluia
Thou fire so masterful and bright
That gives to man both warmth and light
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Oh praise Him, Alleluia.

Dear Mother earth who day by day

Unfoldest blessings on our way

Alleluia, Alleluia

The flow’rs and fruit that in thee grow

Let them his glory also show

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Oh praise Him, Alleluia.