For The Institute of Contemporary and Emerging Worship Studies, St. Stephen’s University, Essentials Blue Online Worship Theology Course with Dan Wilt.
“For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies, for the love which from our birth over and around us lies…”[1]
I have been thinking about this hymn since reading the identically titled chapter in N.T. Wright’s Simply Christian. I most associate the song with the scene when it is sung in Little Women (a favorite childhood book and movie of mine), and I’ve had the song stuck in my head for the past few weeks.
One of our readings talked about singing a new song to the Lord, and how this could mean writing something original or re-envisioning an old hymn in a new way. I find the lyrics to this hymn still beautiful and powerful after nearly 150 years. Despite its brokenness, our world is full of beauty and wonderment. As despair looms large over our society, I want to recall the blessings, to remember just some of the reasons why God is, in fact, worthy of “our hymn of grateful praise.”
Below is a (very) rough live recording of Folliott S. Pierpoint’s classic hymn reinvigorated with my own new melody. A chord sheet with lyrics is included as well.
3 responses so far ↓
christopherus // 19 February 2009 at 2:45 pm |
Awesome Lauren. Thanks for this. I played/sang along and I love what you did with this hymn (although to be honest, I don’t know the original). I really enjoy your voice as well.
Charis // 21 February 2009 at 4:51 pm |
I just love your voice! I love the hymn you chose as well. Thank you so much for sharing what you have to offer. It is so beautiful to our ears and hearts. Don’t stop
mike obrien // 23 February 2009 at 9:17 am |
A glorious waltz! I love the riff at the top, it’s a little bit of Athens GA coming through. This is such a gem of a hymn and you have resurrected it so beautifully. Your voice is sitting so nice on top… a wonderful and disarming timbre.
Please post this on isgodlistening.org/forum