For the Beauty of the Earth / Earth Day 2006

For the beauty of the earth,
for the glory of the skies,
for the love which from our birth
over and around us lies;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.

For the beauty of each hour
of the day and of the night,
hill and vale, and tree and flower,
sun and moon, and stars of light;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of ear and eye,
for the heart and mind's delight,
for the mystic harmony,
linking sense to sound and sight;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of human love,
brother, sister, parent, child,
friends on earth and friends above,
for all gentle thoughts and mild;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.

For thy church, that evermore
lifteth holy hands above,
offering up on every shore
her pure sacrifice of love;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.

For thyself, best Gift Divine,
to the world so freely given,
for that great, great love of thine,
peace on earth, and joy in heaven:
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.

Lyrics: Folliot S. Pierpoint

This hymn is special to me because of my mother. I didn't know it until she asked that I learn to play it. I took several years of piano lessons. Squirmed during practice, back always ached, had trouble concentrating. But I loved playing from my hymns in easy arrangements book. The church we attended at that time didn't include hymns in Sunday service very often. But I would play them, all the verses, singing under my breath.

I'm posting it today for its praise of our Lord of Creation, who provides our sustenance, relationships, and sanctification.

Posted by TulipGirl | 12:47 AM| TrackBack (0) | Words

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Comments

This is beautiful! :-)
Posted by: Steph at April 22, 2006 06:09 PM

I am always surprised and humbled when you mention an influence I've had in your life. Thank you from my mamma-sized heart and thank you for passing it on to your four wonderful boys. mk
Posted by: maureen kuehne at April 23, 2006 05:58 PM

Oh, I love this hymn. Whenever I hear it, I can always hear the girls on the Little Women movie singing it.
Posted by: Michelle-This One's For the Girls at April 23, 2006 10:35 PM

Mmmmm, love this hymn!
Posted by: CharityGrace at April 25, 2006 10:28 AM

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In My Garden