SHARE Magazine January 2016 | Page 31

In Praise of Hymn All Things Bright and Beautiful 1 Each little flow’r that opens, Each little bird that sings, He made their glowing colors, He made their tiny wings. All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful: The Lord God made them all. 2 3 4 5 The purple-headed mountains, The river running by, The sunset and the morning That brightens up the sky. The cold wind in the winter, The pleasant summer sun, The ripe fruits in the garden, He made them every one. The tall trees in the greenwood, The meadows where we play, The rushes by the water, To gather every day. He gave us eyes to see them, And lips that we might tell How great is God Almighty, Who has made all things well. Reviewing Great Christian Hymns Written by Rupert Christiansen, This Sunday School hymn for infants was first published in 1848, in a collection of hymns designed to raise money for deaf-mutes. It was written by Mrs Cecil Frances Alexander (1818-95), wife to the Archbishop of Armagh and Protestant Primate of Ireland, as a way of elucidating the opening of the Apostles’ Creed: “I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.” http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/3668059/The-story-behind-the-hymn.html