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    6. “Turn with Me to Song Number One!”

    Retrospective #62(f) February 18, 2018 Randy C. Hicks
    written by St Francis of Assisi in 1225
    written by St Francis of Assisi in 1225

    Retrospective #62(f) 
    “Turn with Me to Song Number One!”
    Randy C. Hicks

    Does anyone recall when the first song in a Salvation Army Song Book was one that came from the pen of Saint Francis of Assisi?

    The first line of that song was “All creatures of our God and King”

    (Wikipedia) The words of the hymn were initially written by St Francis of Assisi in 1225 in the Canticle of the Sun poem, which was based on Psalm 148. The words were translated into English by William Draper, who at the time was rector of a Church of England parish church at Adel near Leeds. Draper paraphrased the words of the Canticle and set them to music. It is not known when Draper first wrote the hymn but it was between 1899 and 1919. Draper wrote it for his church's children's Whitsun festival celebrations and it was later published in 1919 in the Public School Hymn Book.[ The hymn is currently used in 179 different hymn books. The words written by St Francis are some of the oldest used in hymns after "Father We Praise Thee", written in 580 AD.

    Compiled and published by Rev. William Booth, General, in 1904 - its title was THE SALVATION SOLDIER’S – SONG BOOK!

    Above this song at the top of the page you will find the following:

    GOD
    HIS BEING AND HIS PRAISE

    *************************************************************************

    1. 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!

    Refrain:

    O praise Him! O praise Him!
    Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

    2. Thou rushing wind that art so strong,
    Ye clouds that sail in heav’n along,
    O praise Him! Alleluia!
    Thou rising moon, in praise rejoice,
    Ye lights of evening, find a voice!

    3. Thou flowing water, pure and clear,
    Make music for thy Lord to hear,
    O praise Him! Alleluia!
    Thou fire so masterful and bright,
    That givest man both warmth and light.

    4. And all ye men of tender heart,
    Forgiving others, take your part,
    O praise Him! Alleluia!
    Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
    Praise God and on Him cast your care!

    5. 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!

    There’s more to follow – stay “tuned!”

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