Classic Christian Hymns · Public-domain text

For the Beauty of the Earth

Folliott S. Pierpoint

An English classical scholar, poet, and teacher (1835–1917). In the spring of 1864, while resting on a hilltop overlooking the beautiful city of Bath, England, he was overwhelmed by the breathtaking beauty of the winding river, budding trees, and singing birds. Deeply moved by the harmony of creation and the joy of human connection, he penned 'For the Beauty of the Earth' as a Eucharistic hymn of praise and gratitude.

Source: Classic public-domain hymn

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.

For the beauty of each hour,

Of the day and of the night,

Hill and vale, and tree and flower,

Sun and moon, and stars of light;

Lord of all, to Thee we raise

This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of ear and eye,

For the heart and brain's delight,

For the mystic harmony

Linking sense to sound and sight;

Lord of all, to Thee we raise

This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of human love,

Brother, sister, parent, child,

Friends on earth and friends above,

For all gentle thoughts and mild;

Lord of all, to Thee we raise

This our hymn of grateful praise.

For Thy Church, that evermore

Lifts her holy hands above,

Offering up on every shore

Her pure sacrifice of love;

Lord of all, to Thee we raise

This our hymn of grateful praise.

For Thyself, best Gift Divine,

To the world so freely given,

For that love from which there shine

Peace on earth and joy in heaven;

Lord of all, to Thee we raise

This our hymn of grateful praise.