New England Cancer Specialists

Audience Sing-Along—For the Beauty of the Earth

In 1864, Folliot Sandford Pierpoint had written eight stanzas as a hymn for the Eucharist with a refrain addressing "Christ, our God.” The poet wrote about his experience of feeling blessed some days when he looked at the countryside near Bath, England, reflecting the beauty of the earth, of "each hour of the day and of the night,” and of "the joy of human love.” The hymn was combined in hymnals with the hymn tune “Dix,” composed by Conrad Koch. It was first used as a communion hymn, but soon became a favorite for the Thanksgiving season. In 1978, John Rutter, as others before him, changed the refrain to addressing "Lord of all,” giving it a more general meaning of thanks and praise. He dedicated the composition to Rosemary Heffley and the Texas Choral Directors Association. Heffley was a choral conductor and music pedagogue in the 1970’s and became the association's director.