In the year 1225, completely blind and nearing death, St. Francis of Assisi arrived at the Convent of St. Damian to bid goodbye to his dear friend, Sister Clara, the first woman to follow the call of St. Francis and take vows of the Order. Clara built him a small reed hut in the garden of her little monastery. It’s said that at times St. Francis could be heard singing faint melodies from within the hut. It was at a meal with the sisters after having stayed for some time at the monastery that he wrote his famous text, “Canticle of the Sun,” later paraphrased into the beloved hymn we sing today.
As we sing this hymn, we join with Christians throughout the ages and with all of Creation to sing our praises to God the Creator. Psalm 145 says, “My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.” This is our call and our invitation, and now, using the words God has given us through the voice of a Saint, we answer that invitation with a joyful “Alleluia!”
Text:
The text of this beloved hymn of praise is a translation and paraphrase of a text written by St. Francis of Assisi in 1225 known as the “Canticle of the Sun” or “Song of All Creatures.” This specific translation was done by William H. Draper around 1910 for a children’s Pentecost festival.
Differences in text abound between hymnals. Worship and Rejoice contains a verse that is not found in many others, beginning: “All you who are of tender heart….” Another verse found in some hymnals, such as the Psalter Hymnal and Presbyterian Hymnal, begins, “Earth, ever fertile, day by day.” Even among similar stanzas, the words differ. For example, in Worship and Rejoice, the third stanza begins, “O flowing water, pure and clear,” while in the United Methodist Hymnal, that same verse begins, “O sister water, flowing clear.” Subtle differences, but enough to ensure no two hymnals are the same. Almost every modern hymnal agrees, though, in taking out the original sixth stanza, themed around death.
Tune:
The tune LASST UNS ERFREUEN is believed to be a seventeenth century German folk melody. A common setting of the tune by Ralph Vaughan Williams was published in 1906, and is used in many hymnals today. The “Alleluias” and “O Praise Him” were added to make the text fit this tune, and are a brilliant addition to the existing text, emphasizing the scope of continual praise lifted to God from all creation.
This melody definitely soars, and can be quite fatiguing when sung early in the morning. Though commonly sung in the key of D, consider dropping it down to C if you have an early service. Note too that this hymn is perfect for variations in accompaniment. In each verse, pull out all the stops on the “Alleluias” while maintaining long unison lines in the beginning. Pull back on stanza three – perhaps with just light piano in the upper register, and come in again stronger on the second half of that stanza which reads “Fierce fire, so masterful and bright.” Again, pull out all the stops on the last stanza, or end it a cappella – both can be powerful and meaningful.
When/Why/How:
This hymn was written for Pentecost Sunday, and it remains a perfect opening hymn for this occasion. It could also be used on Ascension Day or All Saints Day, but really would be fitting as a Call to Worship or opening hymn of praise any Sunday of the year.
Try pairing this hymn with “All Hail the Power of Jesus Name,” “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing,” or, when celebrating the Creation and the Creator, “For the Beauty of the Earth,” “Let All Things Now Living,” or a contemporary song, “All the Earth.” If you want to put the hymn in the context of its original text, consider reading part or all of Matthew Arnold’s poetic, literal translation of St. Francis’ text, before singing the hymn. This can be found in Albert Bailey’s book, The Gospel in Hymns, on page 266.
Organ arrangements include "Variations on All Creatures of Our God and King" by Janet Linker and "Partita on Lasst uns erfreuen"; or for organ and brass Vaclav Nelhybel's arrangement of LASST UNS ERFREUEN. A setting of the hymn for praise band was made popular by David Crowder. In his version, he tweaks the melody line of the third verse, where he also, instead of singing “Alleluia,” sings “O Praise Him,” so make sure your congregation is aware of these changes when introducing the song, especially if they’re used to the standard hymnal version.
For choir, congregation, organ and trumpet, there is David Busarow's arrangement; or for choir, congregation, handbells and brass try Hal Hopson's "Concerto on 'All Creatures Of Our God and King'". For choir alone, Craig Curry has arranged "All Creatures of Our God and King" in rhythm and blues style. A new song you could introduce to your congregation, either during the offering or as prelude music, is a setting of the Canticle of the Sun by Gungor, called “Brother Moon.” This beautiful and uplifting setting perfectly evokes the joy of St. Francis’ text.
Laura de Jong,
Hymnary.org
Draper, William Henry, M.A., son of Henry and Lucy Mary Draper, was born at Kenilworth, Dec. 19, 1855, and educated at Keble College, Oxford; B.A. in honours, M.A. 1880. Ordained in 1880, he was Curate of St. Mary's, Shrewsbury; Vicar of Alfreton; of the Abbey Church, Shrewsbury; and since 1899 Rector of Adel, Leeds. Mr. Draper's hymns in common use include the following:—
1. Come forth, ye sick and poor. [Harvest.] Written in 1001 and printed in the Guardian, Sept. 18, 1901. In 1905 it was given, somewhat altered, in The Council School Hymn Book, No. 132. It was also published by Novello & Co., with Music by J. H. Maunder.
2. From homes of quiet peace. [In Time of War.] Published by Novello & Co. in their series of Hymns in… Go to person page >
St. Francis of Assisi (Italian: San Francesco d'Assisi, born Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, but nicknamed Francesco ("the Frenchman") by his father, 1181/1182 – October 3, 1226) was an Italian Catholic friar and preacher. He founded the men's Order of Friars Minor, the women’s Order of St. Clare, and the Third Order of Saint Francis for men and women not able to live the lives of itinerant preachers followed by the early members of the Order of Friars Minor or the monastic lives of the Poor Clares. Though he was never ordained to the Catholic priesthood, Francis is one of the most venerated religious figures in history.
Francis' father was Pietro di Bernardone, a prosperous silk merchant. Francis lived the high-spirited life typic… Go to person page >
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