Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Composer St. Francis of Assisi

St. Francis of Assisi: 1182-1226

“Herald for the Lord”

Many believers who gather and open their hymnals on any given Sunday probably would be surprised to learn how, where and when these songs were born: Favorite and familiar hymns for every season of the church year are based on the thoughts and poetry of everyone from theologians to medieval saints, and the melodies on everything from classical compositions to tavern tunes.

On Easter, April 16, 2006, at 7:45 and 9:30 a.m. worship at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church the poetry of St. Francis of Assisi resounds in celebration with “All Creatures of Our God and King.” First the Chancel Choir will offer it as an a cappella Call to Worship canon, the Resurrection message merging with a famous and familiar hymn tune. Then the congregation will be invited to open the Green Lutheran Book of Worship to sing No. 143 with the organ: “Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds.”

“Both tunes are the same, perhaps one of the most famous in Christian hymnody,” notes Director of Music Peter Schmidt. But how did the poetry and music of a 13th century Italian friar meet up with a much-loved 17th century German tune “Lasst Uns Erfreuen (Let us rejoice)” --- one which offers such soaring opportunities to sing “Alleluias”?

Legend has it that St. Francis of Assisi wrote the joyful text for Sunday’s canon --- titled “Cantico di frate sole, laude della creature” (Canticle of Brother Sun) --- in 1225 while meditating in a hut in the Italian countryside. The poem begins: "Most High Almighty Good Lord, Yours are the praises, the glory, the honor, and all blessings! To you alone, Most High, do they belong and no man is worthy to mention You."

As “All Creatures of Our God and King,” it was freely paraphrased by the Rev. William Draper for a children’s Pentecost festival in Leeds, England. His joyful song urges shouts of “Alleluia” and calls on the “bright burning sun with golden beams” and “soft silver moon that gently gleams” to lift up praises our God. The song first appeared in the Public School Hymn Book in 1919. Rev. Draper penned about 60 hymns, but this is the only one widely known and loved.

The German folk tune “Lasst Uns Erfreuen” is believed to have originated in Cologne, Germany in 1623. The composer is unknown, with both the Catholics and Lutherans laying claim to it from their hymnody history. The melody came into general 20th Century use in 1909 when composer and music editor Ralph Vaughan Williams entered its harmony into the English Hymnal.

The easily sung 4-4 melody also serves as the tune for LBW No. 175 “Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones” with text by J. Athelstan Riley. LBW No. 143 “Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds” is credited to lyricist Paul Z. Strodach. Got the melody in your head now? Try LBW No. 157 “A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing!” with text by The Venerable Bede, circa 700 AD. Or sing through LBW No. 527 “All Creatures of Our God and King,” the full seven verse text of St. Francis of Assisi aided by Rev. Draper. Same great melody, same uplifting sentiment of praise spanning 900 years, and suitable for celebration in every season of the liturgical year.

The founder of this musical feast, St. Francis of Assisi, was born Giovanni Francesco Bernadone, the son of a silk merchant in Umbria, Italy in 1182. His gift for and love of music, and his profound sense of simplicity and charity, were evident from his early life as a nobleman, throughout his service to God and to the church as founder of the Franciscan order.

As Dr. William Tortolano, editor of the Chancel Choir’s Easter canon notes, “The hymns by St. Francis are among the earliest metrical songs written in the Italian vernacular and reflect a troubadour style.” Church as well as music historians note St. Francis’ divine spark as a “Herald for the Lord” in making his poetry, prayers and music very approachable down through the centuries. In addition to his “Canticle of the Sun,” the “Peace Prayer” attributed to him has been printed in many languages, embraced by many cultures and frequently set to music.

Although in failing health in the final year of his life, St. Francis’ inner joy was expressed in his passionate and tender “Canticle of the Sun,” a poem of divine praise that he composed and also set to music now lost. The canticle praises the Lord for Sir Brother Sun, Sister Moon and the Stars, Brother Wind, Sister Water, Brother Fire and for Sister Mother Earth --- they glorify God simply by being themselves. His special love for the outcast and the despised reinforce the Easter message that God’s love is for all.

Francis’ text praises the Lord for those who forgive, for love of God, and for those who endure in peace infirmities and tribulations. In addressing God's creatures, animate and inanimate, as his brothers and sisters he put them on the same level as his Franciscan Brothers and Sisters who serve God. (The entire Canticle text can be viewed at: http://www.shrinesf.org/francis09.htm)

In his poetry and songs, St. Francis professed a simple duty as a servant of God, one to which listeners to “All Creatures of Our God and King” can relate at worship: To lift up the hearts of men and women and move them to spiritual gladness.

--- Contributed by Penny Risen