All creatures of our God on high

All creatures of our God on high,

Who swim and run and hop and fly,

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Cry out from land and sea and air!

Cry praise to God from everywhere!

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

Cry praise, you lions on the plain,

You goats who roam the high terrain,

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Cry out, you whales that roam the deep,

You otters, who your vigil keep,

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

Sing out your praises from the sky,

You birds who 'cross the heavens fly!

Alleluia! Alleluia!

You bees and insects that take flight,

Sound forth your praise before God's sight!

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

You who our homes do fill with grace,

Cry out your praise from every place!

Alleluia! Alleluia! 

Cats, dogs, and rabbits, many more; 

Birds, fish your Maker now adore!

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

Animals all, join in the song!

All creatures to our God belong.

Alleluia! Alleluia! 

All you who run, swim, or take wing,

Lift up your voice and with us sing!

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, October 2022, after St. Francis of Assissi

MUSIC: Tune LASST UNS EFREUEN, Geistlichen Kirkengesang, 1623; alt.

One of the results of a hymn workshop I attended October 19-22. Did you ever notice that there really aren't all that many creatures in "All creatures of our God and King"? Our clinician did, and that meant I couldn't sleep until I came up with something to address that deficit. I could see it for a "blessing of the animals" event or maybe a Creation season service especially, but that doesn't mean it can't be used other times.