All Creatures of Our God and King

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,

O praise Him, O praise Him!

alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

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 ev'ning, find a voice,

O praise Him, O praise Him!

alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

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;

O praise Him, O praise Him!

alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

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;

O praise Him, O praise Him!

alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

 

Author: St. Francis of Assisi

Paraphraser: William H. Draper

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxEiA0OG63g

This hymn was based on the Canticle of the Sun, written by Saint Francis of Assisi.

Saint Francis composed this song of praise in 1224 while recovering from an illness at San Damiano, in a small cottage that had been built for him by Saint Clare and other women of her Order of Poor Ladies. According to tradition, the first time it was sung in its entirety was by Francis and Brothers Angelo and Leo, two of his original companions, on Francis' deathbed, the final verse praising "Sister Death" having been added only a few minutes before.

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The Canticle of the Sun

Most High, all-powerful, good Lord,

Yours are the praises, the glory, the honor, and all blessings.

To You alone, Most High, do they belong,

and no man is worthy to mention Your name.

Praised be You, my Lord, with all your creatures;

especially Brother Sun, who is the day, and through whom You give us light.

And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor,

and bears a likeness to You, Most High One.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars;

in heaven You formed them clear and precious and beautiful.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Wind,

and through the air, cloudy and serene,

and every kind of weather through which You give sustenance to Your creatures.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water,

which is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Fire,

through whom You light the night;

and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Mother Earth,

who sustains us and governs us and who produces

varied fruits with colored flowers and herbs.

Praised be You, my Lord,

through those who give pardon for Your love,

and bear infirmity and tribulation.

Blessed are those who endure in peace

for by You, Most High, they shall be crowned.

Praised be You, my Lord,

through our Sister Bodily Death,

from whom no living man can escape.

Woe to those who die in mortal sin.

Blessed are those whom death will find in Your most holy will,

for the second death shall do them no harm.

Praise and bless my Lord,

and give Him thanks,

and serve Him with great humility.

Amen.