^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
You bring the Hymnal,  I'll bring the History
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
In 1225, when he was feeling ill and losing his sight, Francis of Assisi
wrote about what was always on his heart:  the praise of God.  In "All
Creatures of Our God and King," Francis' love for God and the world He made
comes out very strongly.  Probably because he lived such a simple life, he
"noticed" things that we, in our busy-ness, overlook.  Francis believed that
all earth's creatures get their life from God and that we all depend on Him
for our continual existence.

PS 145:10,11 "All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord; and thy saints shall
bless thee.  They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy
power."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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 wind 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!

Dear mother earth, who day by day
Unfoldest blessings on our way,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
The flow'rs and fruits that in thee grow,
Let them His glory also show!
O praise Him, O praise Him,
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

And all ye men 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!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~