By St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226)
Paraphrased by William H. Draper (1855-1933)
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!
Thou rushing wind that art so strong, Ye clouds that sail in heaven along, O praise Him! Alleluia! Thou rising moon, in praise rejoice, Ye lights of evening, find a voice!
O praise Him! O praise Him! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou flowing water, pure and clear, Make music for thy Lord to hear, O praise Him! Alleluia! Thou fire so masterful and bright, That givest man both warmth and light.
O praise Him! O praise Him! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Dear mother earth, who day by day Unfoldest blessings on our way, O praise Him! Alleluia! The flowers and fruits that in thee grow, Let them His glory show,
O praise Him! O praise Him! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
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!
And thou most kind and gentle Death, Waiting to hush our latest breath, O praise Him! Alleluia! Thou leadest home the child of God, And Christ our Lord the way hath trod,
O praise Him! O praise Him! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
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!
This beautiful hymn by St. Francis expresses appreciation for the beauty of the earth and its life-sustaining resources, for the sun, moon and stars and for the interdependence of all living things; encouragement to treat others with kindness in a spirit of love and forgiveness; and a spirit of humble confidence and thankfulness in a loving God—Father and Friend—who is worth of worship and praise. This 13th-century hymn remains keenly relevant today.
