Classic Christian Hymns · Public-domain text

All Creatures of Our God and King

Francis of Assisi; trans. William H. Draper

Saint Francis of Assisi (1181–1226) was an Italian friar, deacon, and mystic who abandoned a life of wealth to serve the poor and sick. Near the end of his life, blind, suffering from severe illness, and enduring intense physical pain, he spent a night in a small hut at the convent of San Damiano. Instead of despairing, he was filled with joy and composed the 'Canticle of the Sun' (later translated by William H. Draper as 'All Creatures of Our God and King'), declaring that all of creation, including the sun, wind, water, and even 'sister death', unite to praise their Creator.

Source: Public-domain English paraphrase

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 winds that art so strong,
Ye clouds that sail in Heav'n along,
O praise him, alleluia!
Thou rising morn, in praise rejoice,
Ye lights of evening, find a voice.
O praise him, O praise him,
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
And all ye saints 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.
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.
Alas! and Did My Savior BleedAlas! Elisha's servant criedAll Glory, Laud, and HonorAll Hail the Power of Jesus' NameAll People That on Earth Do Dwell (Psalm 100)All the Way My Savior Leads Me