Hymns:Each little flower that opens

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Each little flower that opens
Title Each little flower that opens
Author Cecil Frances Alexander
Composer
Published
Orig. Key G Major
Orig. Language
Meter 76.76 with Refrain
Melody
1st Line Each little flower that opens
Scriptures Genesis 1:31

Each little flower that opens

Contents

Summary

Scripture References

Notes

Cecil F. Alexander wrote a number of hymn texts on articles of the Apostles' Creed. This text, whose biblical source is Genesis 1:31 ("and God saw all that he had made, and it was very good"), is Alexander's explanation of the Creed's phrase "Maker of heaven and earth." The text was first published in her Hymns for Little Children (1848) in seven stanzas, one of which was: 

    The rich man in his castle,
     The poor man at his gate,
     God made them high and lowly
     And ordered their estate.


In the currently familiar form of this hymn Alexander's original first stanza has been turned into the refrain, and her stanzas 3 and 6 have been omitted.

The vivid images depicting the creedal statement are easily understood by God's children of all ages. It is a catalog text (see also 431 and 433) because it enumerates various creatures God has made: flowers and birds (st. 1); mountains, rivers, daylight, and evening (st. 2); summer, winter, and harvest (st. 4). The final stanza and the refrain teach us that the creation points to and praises the Creator, for "the Lord God made them all." Note that "all" is used four times in the refrain!


Liturgical Use

As a creation hymn, especially for children but also suitable for adults; with Heidelberg Catechism, Lord's Day 9, as a hymn of confession of faith.

[1]

forms

All things bright and beautiful. Cecil F. Alexander, née Humphreys. [God, our Maker.] A successful and popular hymn for children, on the article of the Creed, "Maker of Heaven and Earth," which appeared in her Hymns for Little Children, 1848, in 7 stanzas of 4 lines. It is usually given in an unaltered form, as in Thring's Collection, 1882.

-- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology [2]

Lyrics

  1. Refrain:
    All things bright and beautiful,
    all creatures great and small,
    all things wise and wonderful:
    the Lord God made them all.
  2. Each little flower that opens,
    each little bird that sings,
    God made their glowing colors,
    and made their tiny wings.
    (Refrain)
  3. The purple-headed mountains,
    the river running by,
    the sunset and the morning
    that brightens up the sky.
    (Refrain)
  4. The cold wind in the winter,
    the pleasant summer sun,
    the ripe fruits in the garden:
    God made them every one.
    (Refrain)
  5. 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)

Hymnal Instances

[3]


References

  1. ↑ Emily, Brink (April 1, 1998). Psalter Hymnal Handbook. Grand Rapids, MI: CRC Publications. 
  2. ↑ Hymnary.org (2009). "Text: Each little flower that opens". 
  3. ↑ Hymnary.org (2009). "Instances: All Things Bright and Beautiful". 
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