for the beauty of the earth

i thot i'd post another beautiful hymn to praise the LORD. He is to be most praised always, but we especially think of our blessings at this time of year during the holiday season. praise Him for our new nest, the safe move of our things into it, the money to move us here, the money to keep us here, God-willing, His choice for us in a new neighborhood after 17 years in the previous one, your prayers for us in this transition, your practical help as needed and more.  as best i could tell, the words were written by folliot s. pierpoint, 1864; music by conrad kocher, 1838.  some of you may recognize the hymn from the wonderful 1994 movie version of "little women."

For the beauty of the earth For the glory of the skies, For the love which from our birth Over and around us lies.

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Lord of all, to Thee we raise, This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the beauty of each hour, Of the day and of the night, Hill and vale, and tree and flower, Sun and moon, and stars of light.

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For the joy of ear and eye, For the heart and mind’s delight, For the mystic harmony Linking sense to sound and sight.

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For the joy of human love, Brother, sister, parent, child, Friends on earth and friends above, For all gentle thoughts and mild.

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For Thy Church, that evermore Lifteth holy hands above, Offering up on every shore Her pure sacrifice of love.

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For the martyrs’ crown of light, For Thy prophets’ eagle eye, For Thy bold confessors’ might, For the lips of infancy.

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For Thy virgins’ robes of snow, For Thy maiden mother mild, For Thyself, with hearts aglow, Jesu, Victim undefiled.

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For each perfect gift of Thine, To our race so freely given, Graces human and divine, Flowers of earth and buds of Heaven.

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