Yesterday on television I saw and heard Thomas Gesty singing "All Things Bright and Beautiful" and I was moved to share his glorious voice with everyone. He was the BBC young Chorister of the Year but unfortunately I was unable to find a video of him on utube - although I did discover for our mutual enjoyment, many other beautiful versions of this song. So along with the music and words to the song I have included some history - courtesy of Wikipaedia - about both the composer of the music, John Rutter and the writer of the words, Cecil F. Alexander. This immensely popular song can be heard in so many different arenas - weddings, funerals, church services, in children's performances, concerts, and by choirs, soloists, duets etc. it really is an all rounder - a perennial favourite!

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From Wikipaedia comes History of the Song and It's Writer and Composer - .

"All Things Bright and Beautiful is the title of a famous Anglican Hymn for which Cecil.F.Alexander - from the village of Dunster - wrote the text in 1848.

Differing melodies have been adapted to suit these words but the most popular comes from from John Rutterwho composed a full choral piece for the piece All Things Bright and Beautiful in 19...

For the film and television series "All Creatures Great and Small",appears to also come from the second line of the hymn . Herriot went on to apply the following lines "All Things Bright and Beautiful", "All Things Wise and Wonderful," and "The Lord God Made Them All." as titles for his later books.

The words of the song are as follows:

1. All things bright and beautiful,

All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful, The Lord God made them all.

2. Each little flower that opens, Each little bird that sings, He made their glowing colours, He made their tiny wings. All things bright ...

3. The rich man in his castle, The poor man at his gate, God made them, high or lowly, And order'd their estate. All things bright ...

4. The purple headed mountains, The river running by, The sunset and the morning, That brightens up the sky;− All things bright ...

5. The cold wind in the winter, The pleasant summer sun, The ripe fruits in the garden,− He made them every one: All things bright ...

6. The tall trees in the greenwood, The meadows where we play, The rushes by the water, We gather every day;− All things bright ...

7. He gave us eyes to see them, And lips that we might tell, How great is God Almighty, Who has made all things well. All things bright ... (Amen) "

Thee words to "All Things Bright and Beautiful" were also sung by the Goodies and Monty Python in parodies of the song. I was unable to find a copy of this song by monty python to include in the line up and still looking for one from the goodies!

Thanks to Shalini Kagal - who found this version of "All Things Bright & Beautiful" for me on Utube which I can now share it with you all ....Thanks Shalini for taking the time to find it..

This version comes from Thomas Jesty who was BBC Choirboy of the Year in 2004 when he was 13. This is an unusual version of All Things Bright & Beautiful as it is very bright and very breezy. This is indeed a most beautiful voice.....listen and enjoy.

A potted history of John Rutter the composer of the evergreen and popular hymn/song "All Things Bright and Beautiful"

John Milford Rutter CBE who was born September 24, 1945 is a choral conductor, an English Composer,editor,record producer and an arranger of music.

John Milford Rutterwas educated at Highgate School which was followed by his musical studies at Clare College,Cambridge. He was a member of the Clare College choir before going on to become Director of Music there from 1975 to 1979. At the invitation of choral musician Melvin Olson; John Rutter visited the United States In 1974,where in in Omaha, Nebraska he conducted the premiere of his Cantata "Gloria". This composition of "Gloria" has become a world wide perennial favourite. John Rutter then founded his own choir, the "Cambridge Singers", which he conducts as well as making in conjunction with the choir, many fine recordings of sacred choral works and also his own compositions. On a frequent basis he is invited to conduct choirs and orchestras from around the world.

More details of his achievements can be found at the Wikipaedia site.