LYRICS

Hallelu, hallelu, hallelu, hallelujah, Praise ye the Lord.
Hallelu, hallelu, hallelu, hallelujah, Praise ye the Lord.
Hallelu, hallelu, hallelu, hallelujah, Praise ye the Lord.
Praise ye the Lord.Hallelujah,  Praise ye the Lord. Hallelujah!
Praise ye the Lord.Hallelujah,   Praise ye the Lord!

(Cheer) Praise- What’s that? It’s the YIPPPPEEEE,  Yahoo Way to Go God!
What’s that? It’s the YIPPPPEEEE,  Yahoo Way to Go God!

Repeat entire song.

All Creatures of our God and King
(1225)

Hymn Background:

So many stories have arisen around St. Francis of Assisi that it’s difficult to separate truth from fiction.  We know he was born in 1182 in central Italy, son of a rich merchant.  After a scanty education, Francis joined the army and was captured in war. He came to Christ shortly after his release, renounced his wealth, and began traveling about the countryside, preaching the gospel, living simply, seeking to make Christ real to everyone he met.

Francis loved nature, and many stories spotlight his interaction with animals.  Once as he hiked through Italy’s Spoleto Valley, he came upon a flock of birds.  When they didn’t fly away, he decided to preach to them a little sermon:  “My brother and sister birds,” he reportedly said, “you should praise your Creator and always love Him. He gave you feathers for clothes, wings to fly, and all other things you need.  It is God who made your home in thin, pure air.  Without sowing or reaping, you receive God’s guidance and protection.”   The flock, it is said, then flew off rejoicing.

That perspective is reflected in a hymn Francis composed just before his death in 1225, called, “Cantico di fratre solo” — ‘Song of Brother Sun.”  It exhorts all creation to worship God.  The sun and moon.  All the birds.  All the clouds. Wind and fire.  All men of tender heart.  All creatures of our God and King.

Though written in 1225, an English version didn’t appear until 1919, when Rev. William H. Draper decided to use it for a children’s worship festival in Leeds, England.  But is it sound theology to exhort birds and billowing clouds to lift their voices in praise? Yes!  This hymn simply restates an older hymn entitled Psalm 148.

PSALM 148
Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights above.
Praise him all his angels; praise him all his heavenly hosts.
Praise him sun and moon; praise him all you shining stars.
Praise him you highest heavens and you waters above the skies.
Let them praise the name of the Lord, for at his command they were created.
He established them for ever and ever– he issued a decree that will never pass away.
Praise the Lord from earth you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,
Lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding,
You mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle,
Small creatures and flying birds, kings of the earth and all nations,
Young men and women,  old men and children.
Let them praise the name of the Lord for his name alone is exalted.
His splendor is above the earth and the heavens.
And he has raised up for his people a horn, the praise of all his faithful servants,
Of Israel,  the people close to his heart. 
Praise the Lord.

All Creatures of our God and King

LYRICS:

1. All creatures of our God and King,
Lift up your voice and with us sing;  Alleluia, Alleluia!
O burning sun with golden beam, O silver moon with softer gleam,
O praise God, O praise God, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

2. O rushing wind with voice so strong, 
You clouds that sail in heaven along, O praise God, Alleluia!
O rising morn, in praise rejoice, you lights of evening find a voice,
O praise God, O praise God, Alleluia, Alleluia,  Alleluia!

4. And all forgiven tender hearts, 
Forgiving others, take your part. Sing praises, Alleluia!
You who long pain and sorrow bear, praise God who knows your every care.
O praise God, O praise God, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

This is a Day of New Beginnings