400 - Praise to God

 

1. All creatures of our God and King,

lift up your voices, let us sing:

Alleluia, alleluia!

Bright burning sun with golden beams,

pale silver moon that gently gleams,

O praise him, O praise him,

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

 

*2. Great rushing winds and breezes soft,

you clouds that ride the heavens aloft,

O praise him, Alleluia!

Fair rising morn, with praise rejoice

stars nightly shining find a voice,

O praise him, O praise him,

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

 

*3. Swift flowing water, pure and clear,

make music for you Lord to hear,

Alleluia, alleluia!

Fire, so intense and fiercely bright,

you give to us both warmth and light,

O praise him, O praise him,

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

 

4. Dear mother, earth, you day by day

unfold your blessings on our way,

O praise him, Alleluia!

All flowers and fruits that in you grow,

let them his glory also show:

O praise him, O praise him

Alleluia, alleluia alleluia!

 

5. All you with mercy in your heart,

forgiving others, take your part,

O sing now: Alleluia!

All you that pain and sorrow bear,

praise God , and cast on him your care:

O praise him, O praise him,

Alleluia, alleluia alleluia!

 

*6. And even you, most gentle death,

waiting to hush our final breath,

O praise him, Alleluia!

You lead back home the child of God,

for Christ our Lord that way had trod:

O praise him, O praise him,

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

 

7. Let all things their creator bless,

and worship him in humbleness,

O praise him, Alleluia!

Praise God the Father, praise the Son,

and praise the Spirit, Three in One:

O praise him, O praise him,

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

 

Words: Francis of Assisi (1182-1226); tr. William H. Draper (1855-1933), alt. Music: Lasst uns erfreum, melody from Auserlesene Catholiche Geistliche Kirchengesung, 1623; adapt. Ra;[h Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)