The hymn "All creatures of our God and King," written by William H. Draper (1855-1933), is a paraphrase of the well-known "Canticle of brother sun" by St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226). Draper's poem was composed in the same meter as the hymn Lasst uns erfreuen, and was first published paired with that melody in 1919. Since that time the hymn has enjoyed enormous ecumenical popularity. Today Draper's text is to be found in a variety of altered and adapted forms. For the movement titles for this organ work, then, I have chosen to use language which follows more closely the original of St. Francis rather than any particular version of the Draper poem: I. Sister Moon, II. Brother Sun, III. Mother Earth, IV. All of Tender Heart, V. Alleluia
The church of Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, "for the dedication of the new N. P. Mander organ.
2000 The Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia / Peter Sykes, organist
…This beautiful suite on the famous hymn was written for the dedication of a new organ at the Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia…The music is definitely contemporary, but without resorting to avant-garde theatrics…This wonderful music is one of the best settings I’ve seen of this great hymn.
2007 Basilica of the National Shrine, Washington DC / Peter Latona, organist
