All Creatures of Our God and King, Piano Solo by Daniel Carter
The Story Behind This Arrangement
2005 was a very rough year for me. I was in a failing marriage and the financial, emotional, and physical stress tipped me over the edge. I made an unsuccessful suicide attempt in April of that year. Trying to dig out of that horrible pit was a lot of work, but I kept turning to my music projects to regain some balance. Music was one of my few sources of happiness. Music has always been a life balancer for me, which gives me hope and happiness. So I stayed focused on music projects, composing and arranging, while I worked huge hours to stabilize finances and rebuild my life.
"All Creatures of Our God and King" has always been a favorite of mine. I wanted to find the joy of being in a beautiful world again, and I kept hearing sounds of nature in it as I played around with it in my head. Including hints of things like bird calls, blowing breezes, and running water seemed perfect for my arrangement.
After months and months of starting and stopping the arrangement, I finished it sometime in late 2005. It remains among my favorites to play from time to time.
Piano Solo by Daniel Carter
Purchase the sheet music for the piano solo here.
Available as a piano solo.
The Words to the Hymn
St. Francis of Assisi penned the words for this hymn over 800 years ago. The most popular translation used today is by William H. Draper. His translation is below.
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,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Oh, praise him! Alleluia!
Thou rushing wind that art so strong,
Ye clouds that sail in heav’n along,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou rising morn, in praise, rejoice;
Ye light of evening, find a voice,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Oh, praise him! Alleluia!
Thou flowing water pure and clear,
Make music for thy Lord to hear,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou fire so masterful and bright,
That gives to man both warmth and light
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Oh, praise him! Alleluia!
Dear Mother Earth, who day by day
Unfoldest blessings on our way,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
The flowers and fruit that in thee grow,
Let them his glory also show,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Oh, praise him! Alleluia!
Words by St. Francis of Assisi, (1182–1226), translated by William H. Draper, (1855–1933)
Music from Geistliche Kirchengesänge, Koln, 1623.
About Saint Francis of Assisi
Saint Francis of Assisi was one of seven children born to a rich cloth merchant. In his early life, he loved all the pleasures of his wealth and social standing. He was noted for his bright clothing, rich friends, street brawls and by several accounts, his playboy lifestyle.
However that all changed when he was selling his father's cloths in a marketplace. While he was in the middle of a large transaction, a beggar asked him for alms. At the conclusion of the business deal, Francis abandoned his work and pursued the beggar, and upon finding him, gave him all that he had in his pockets. His friends and father mocked and rebuked him, calling his actions foolishness.
Francis joined the military and was taken captive for a year. It is believed that his spiritual conversion was completed during this time. After his conversion, his former companions chided and mocked him, asking him if he planned to marry, to which he answered, "yes, a fairer bride than any of you have ever seen," meaning his "lady poverty."
Francis endured his father's threats and beatings, and even legal actions taken by the Catholic church. Francis renounced his father and gave up all his inheritance and even the clothes he received from his father to devote his life to the ministry.
During his ministry, Francis penned the immortal words to this hymn.
About the Translator, William H. Draper
William H. Draper, who translated "All Creatures of Our God and King" to English, was born December 19, 1855, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, England. He died August 9, 1933, Clifton, Bristol, England.
Draper was educated at Keble College, Oxford (BA in honors, MA 1880). He was ordained to the ministry in 1880. He held posts as Curate of St. Mary’s, Shrewsbury; Vicar of Alfreton; Vicar of the Abbey Church, Shrewsbury; Rector of Adel, Yorkshire (1899-1919); Master of the Temple, London (1919–30); and Vicar of Axbridge, Somerset. Along with translating "All Creatures of our God and King," his works include, "The Victoria Book of Hymns" (1897), "Hymns for Holy Week" (London: H. Frowde, 1898), "A Memorial Service for Them That Are Fallen Asleep in Christ" (London: H. Frowde, 1898), "The Way of the Cross" (Oxford, England: A. R. Mowbray & Co.)
Draper also contributed about 60 hymns altogether.
There are other translations of St. Francis' words. You can find some of them by doing an internet search.
To see a complete list of all the sheet music I have published, including watching music videos which include the sheet music, visit my "Sheet Music" page at my website.
© 2010 Daniel Carter
