| Description: | Today, October 4th, is the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi (Italian: San Francesco d'Assisi), born Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, informally named as Francesco (1181/1182 – 3 October 1226), was an Italian Roman Catholic friar, deacon and preacher. He founded the men's Order of Friars Minor, the women’s Order of Saint Clare, the Third Order of Saint Francis and the Custody of the Holy Land. Francis is one of the most venerated religious figures in history.
Pope Gregory IX canonized Francis on 16 July 1228. Along with Saint Catherine of Siena, he was designated Patron saint of Italy. He later became associated with patronage of animals and the natural environment, and it became customary for Catholic and Anglican churches to hold ceremonies blessing animals on his feast day of 4 October. He is often remembered as the patron saint of animals.
The hymn, "All creatures of our God and King", was written by St. Francis, and appears in this fine translation by the Rev. William Draper (1855-1933).
The tune, "Lasst uns erfreuen" derives its opening line and several other melodic ideas from GENEVAN 68 (68). The tune was first published with the Easter text "Lasst uns erfreuen herzlich sehr" in the Jesuit hymnal Ausserlesene Catlwlische Geistliche Kirchengesänge (Cologne, 1623). The version by Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) first appeared in "The English Hymnal" (1906), is the most popular, still widely in use today.
In this performance, I've done all 7 verses after a brief introduction played upon the Great reeds 16' 8' 4'. You'll need to look at the score to follow the text.
The free accompaniment of the last verse is by T. Tertius Noble (1867-1953), and was slightly "adapted" by me.
The score is attached below, as well as a photo of the earliest likeness of St. Francis. Photos of William Draper, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and T. Tertius Noble are also attached.
Remember to hug your pet/s today!
Peace to all! |
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