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All Things Bright and Beautiful
 | Each little flower that opensAuthor: Cecil F. Alexander (1848)Tune: ROYAL OAK Published in 216 hymnals Printable scores: PDF, SibeliusAudio files: MIDI | |
Author: Cecil F. Alexander
Alexander, Cecil Frances, nee Humphreys. second daughter of the late Major John Humphreys, Miltown House, co. Tyrone, Ireland, b. 1823, and m. in 1850 to the Rt. Rev. W. Alexander, d.d., Bishop of Derry and Raphoe. Mrs. Alexander's hymns and poems number nearly 400. They are mostly for children, and were published in her Verses for Holy Seasons, with Preface by Dr. Hook, 1846; Poems on Subjects in the Old Testament, pt. i. 1854, pt. ii. 1857; Narrative Hymns for Village Schools, 1853; Hymns for Little Children, 1848; Hymns Descriptive and Devotional, 1858; The Legend of the Golden Prayers 1859; Moral Songs, N.B.; The Lord of the Forest and his Vassals, an Allegory, &c.; or contributed to the Lyra Anglicana, the S.P.C.K. Psalms and Hymns, Hy… Go to person page >For Leaders
Text
This text was written by Cecil F. Alexander as part of her collection of hymn texts on articles of the Apostle’s Creed. This specific hymn is Alexander’s explanation of the phrase, “Maker of heaven and earth.” The text is also based on Genesis 1:31: “And God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” Her text was first published in 1848 in seven stanzas. The first stanza has since been turned into a refrain, and stanzas three and six are often omitted.
Tune
The tune ROYAL OAK is presumably named for a tree at Boscobel, Shropshire, England, in which King Charles II hid during the Battle of Worcester in 1651. In the seventeenth century, the tune was associated with the loyalist song, “The Twenty-Ninth of May,” celebrating the restoration of the monarchy under Charles II. In the nineteenth century, Martin F. Shaw arranged the tune as a hymn setting, and it is now commonly associated with Alexander’s text. Use light instrumentation, such as piano, flute, recorder, or guitar.
John Rutter’s 1990 arrangement of the hymn is beautiful for choir, with a melody and accompaniment that fits the text wonderfully. It also is not terribly difficult, and can be accompanied with a variety of instruments, or simply piano.
- Alternative Harmonization for Piano:
- Hopson, Hal H. The Creative Use of the Piano in Worship.
When/Why/How
There are a number of difference services in which this hymn would be appropriate. It could be sung during a celebration of God’s creation, as a hymn of response to a reading of the Apostle’s Creed or the first chapter of Genesis, or as an opening hymn of praise throughout the year. Along with a reading of the Apostle’s Creed, this hymn could be paired with the hymn “All Creatures of Our God and King,” or “For the Beauty of the Earth.” This is also a great hymn to teach children, due to the repeated refrain and simple melody.Suggested music:
- Morning Has Broken-A Suite of Hymns for Piano
- Burkhardt, Michael. Praise and Thanksgiving. Set 6
- Postludes of Praise for Piano
- Kinyon, Barbara. All Things Bright and Beautiful - for Handbells
- Offutt, Fred. All Things - for Choir, with an original tune
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