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You bring the Hymnal, I'll bring the History
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Folliot Sanford Pierpoint (1835-1917) was 29 years old when he returned to the city of his birth, Bath, England. The beauty of the countryside in the late spring inspired him to write the words to the hymn, “For the Beauty of the Earth.” Pierpoint included thanks for God’s creation, social blessings, and also thanked God for his spiritual blessings. This hymn was originally written for the communion service. Each stanza concluded with the words, Christ our God, to thee we raise this our sacrifice of praise, alluding to Hebrews 13:15.

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(there are six stanzas in all)

For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies,
For the love which from our birth over and around us lies:
Christ our God, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.

For the wonder of each hour of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale, and tree and flower, sun and moon, and stars of light:
Christ our God, 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:
Christ our God, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.

For the church that evermore lifteth holy hands above,
Offering up on every shore her pure sacrifice of love:
Christ our God, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.
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