For the Beauty of the Earth

Folliot S. Pierpoint

England-born Folliot S. Pierpoint (1835-1917) was a graduate of Queens College, Cambridge University. He chose teaching as a profession and traveled from place to place throughout his life, teaching in various schools. He eventually retired from academics to become a writer.

During his 82 years of life, Pierpoint published seven volumes of poetry. Many of his writings spoke of his love for nature. He is most remembered for the hymn For the Beauty of the Earth, first published as The Sacrifice of Praise in 1864.

For the Beauty of the Earth is mostly commonly sung to the tune of Dix, written by German composer and organist Conrad Kocher (1786-1872) in 1838. It was originally sung as a hymn for communion in Anglican services. It has since become a favorite for Thanksgiving services, and for Sunday School Children. It was sung in the 1994 movie version of Little Women. The original version of the hymn had eight stanzas. Below are listed those most commonly still sung.


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

Refrain:

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

Alternative (original) refrain:
Christ, our God, to Thee we raise
This, our sacrifice of praise.

For the beauty of each hour
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale and tree and flow'r
Sun and Moon and stars of light

Refrain

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

Refrain

For each perfect gift of Thine
To our race so freely given.
Graces human and divine
Flow'rs of earth and buds of heav'n.

Refrain