All Things Bright and Beautiful
Posted on: January 22, 2010
Beautiful Illustrations for a Beautiful Song with Beautiful Words…
All Things Bright and Beautiful
Words by Cecil F. Alexander (based on)
Illustrated by Ashley Bryan
I absolutely love this satisfying and thoughtful Singable Picture Book rendition of “All Things Bright and Beautiful.” Mr. Bryan notes that he used his mother’s sewing and embroidery scissors to cut the paper shapes that created the book’s pictures, making them not just beautiful, but personal and meaningful. But, oh heavens, those pictures are joyously gorgeous.
This book also comes with printed music for the tune “Royal Oak” (an English melody from the 17th century), the tune to which “All Things Bright and Beautiful” is sung. You can also read a paragraph of information about Cecil Francis Alexander and some of the wonderful things she achieved.
All Things Bright and Beautiful
Words by Cecil Frances Alexander
Illustrated by Bruce Whatley
All Things Bright and Beautiful
Words by Cecil Francis Alexander
Illustrated by Anna Vojtech
All Things Bright and Beautiful
Poem by Cecil Francis Alexander
Illustrated by Carol Heyer
All Thing Bright and Beautiful (A Collection of Prayer & Verse)
Words and Tunes by Various Artists
Illustrated by Helen Lanzrein
A very nice sing along track can be found on the Salvation Army’s album “Onward Christian Soldiers, Bands of the Salvation Army,” which you can hear a clip of by clicking here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/onward-christian-soldiers/id287015368 (Track 12).
I want to stress that you DO NOT have to be a christian to sing this song, and i-tunes features a number of nice instrumental and vocal tracks for it. I like the Salvation Army Band’s version for it’s easy tempo and singable key.
As I’m a big fan of Bill Staines, here’s a link to his version of “All Things Bright and Beautiful”:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/octobers-hill/id32326979 (Track 12).
Cecil Francis Alexander (1818-1895) was an Irish hymn writer. She also wrote poems. She set her text for “All Things Bright and Beautiful,” to an adaptations of a 17th century English melody called “Royal Oak.” Martin Shaw and William Henry Monk have been associated with different arrangements of the tune. This song was first published in her book of compositions, ”Hymns for Little Children” (1848). She donated the money made from the sale of “Hymns for Little Children” (editions of which you can find through online book sellers) to a school for deaf or mute children.
ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL
Words by Cecil Francis Alexander
Tune, a 17th century English melody, “Royal Oak”
REFRAIN
All things bright and beautiful
all creatures great and small
all things wise and wonderful:
the Lord God made them all.
Each little flower that opens,
each little bird that sings,
God made their glowing colors,
and made their tiny wings.
REFRAIN
The purple-headed mountains
the river running by,
the sunset and the morning
that brightens up the sky.
REFRAIN
The cold wind in the winter,
the pleasant summer sun,
the ripe fruits in the garden:
God made them every one.
REFRAIN
God gave us eyes to see them,
and lips that we might tell
how great is God Almighty,
who has made all things well.
REFRAIN
You can sing along with this song right now, at this site: http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh147.sht, which features a midi player, banging out the tune.
The refrain is not printed in the Singable Picture Book renditions of “All Things Bright and Beautiful.” I hope you can find this Poster Card helpful and enjoyable!
Click here for the Sing Books with Emily “All Things Bright and Beautiful” Refrain Poster Card:
all things bright and beautiful – refrain poster
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Related Post
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ASHLEY BRYAN
The Singable Picture Books of Ashley Bryan
http://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2012/06/06/the-singable-picture-books-of-ashley-bryan/
*
AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH
A list of Singable Picture Books that celebrate February is African American History Month
http://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2011/04/18/singable-picture-books-celebrating-african-american-history-month/
*
ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL
A Collection of Singable Picture Books Based on the Song “All Things Bright and Beautiful” by Cecil Frances Alexander
http://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2010/01/22/a-few-favorite-singable-books-part-32-all-things-bright-and-beautiful/
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EARTH’S BEAUTY AND BOUNTY, STEWARDSHIP AND BEING GREEN
Celebrate Earth’s beauty and bounty, being green, and environmental stewardship with this lovely list of Singable Picture Books:
http://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2011/01/06/singable-picture-books-with-a-green-theme/
