1. 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! 2. Thou rushing wind that art so strong, Ye clouds that sail in heav'n along, O praise Him! Alleluia! Thou rising morn, in praise rejoice, Ye lights of evening find a voice! 3. And all ye men of tender heart, Forgiving others, take your part, O sing ye! Alleluia! Ye who long pain and sorrow bear, Praise God and on Him cast your care! 4. Let all things their Creator bless, And worship Him in humbleness, O praise Him! Alleluia! Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son, And praise the Spirit, Three in One! 5. Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; O praise Him! Alleluia! Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Chorus: O praise Him, O praise Him! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
Lyrics: Francis of Assisi
Music: Melody from "Geistliche Kirchengesäng", Cologne, 1623
Tune: LASST UNS ERFREUEN
Meter: L.M. with Alleluias
Francis of Assisi, 1182–1226
English Translation by William Draper, 1855–1933
All the magnificent wonders of nature reveal the majesty of God and glorify Him. From the grateful heart of a devoted Italian monk in the year of 1225 came this beautiful message. As a great lover of nature, Saint Francis saw the hand of God in all creation, and he urged men to respond with expressions of praise and alleluia.
Giovanni Bernardone, the real name of Saint Francis, demonstrated through his own life all the tender, humble, forgiving spirit and absolute trust in God that his hymn urges others to have. At the age of 25 Bernardone left an indulgent life as a soldier, renounced his inherited wealth, and determined to live meagerly and to imitate the selfless life of Christ.
Throughout his life Saint Francis appreciated the importance of church music and encouraged singing in his monastery. He wrote more than 60 hymns for this purpose. The beautiful expressions of praise in “All Creatures of Our God and King” have endured throughout the centuries.