I played a suite of these two classic hymns on piano for our offertory music this morning at church. My husband had been wanting someone to play this in our church, so since it was my turn this week to play, I did so as a gift to him. He had been watching the National Parks, The Best Idea specials on TV the last few weeks where this song is played as the background music. In God's providence this song matched the topic in our Sunday school class, the offertory prayer and the sermon. This arrangement by David Maddux is from Cynthia Clawson’s Hymnsinger CD [the link allows you to listen to a bit of Cynthia singing]. My husband and I had the wonderful opportunity to hear her perform most of the songs from this CD several years ago in person at a church in our city. You may recognize the music from the movie Little Women (the Wynona Ryder version). The words and music are both comforting and worshipful.
For the Beauty of the Earth
[Text: Folliot S. Pierpoint; Music: Conrad Kocher; Arr. by W.H. Monk]
For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies,
for the love which from our birth over and around us lies;
Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.
This Is My Father’s World
[Text: Maltbie D. Babcock; Music: Trad. English melody; adapt. by Franklin L. Sheppard]
This is my Father's world, and to my listening ears
all nature sings, and round me rings
the music of the spheres.
This is my Father's world: I rest me in the thought
of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.
This is my Father's world, the birds their carols raise,
the morning light, the lily white,
declare their Maker's praise.
This is my Father's world: He shines in all that's fair;
in the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.
This is my Father's world. O let me ne'er forget
that though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world. The battle is not done.
Jesus Who died, shall be satisfied
when earth and heav’n be one.
