For the Beauty of the Earth

by Folliott S. Pierpont

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

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

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

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

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

For yourself, best gift divine,
To the world so freely given,
Agent of God's grand design:
Peace on earth and joy in heaven.

Refrain:

Christ, our Lord, to you we raise
This, our hymn of grateful praise.