All Creatures of our God and King

"All Creatures of our God and King" is a soaring call to worship that brings the entire natural world into the choir loft. Based on the words of Francis of Assisi, which are noted right on the score, the hymn invites everything from the "burning sun with golden beam" to the "rushing wind so wild and strong" to join in a unified chorus of praise. For a Catholic congregation, this piece is an absolute joy to sing, building momentum with every verse as the voices layer together.

In Nigerian parishes, this hymn is a massive favourite for the Entrance or Recessional processions, especially on festive Sundays. The melody, noted at the bottom of the page as Lasst uns erfreuen, is famous for its cascading "Alleluia"s that give the soprano line a chance to ring out brightly over the rest of the choir. When the organ swells and the congregation catches the familiar refrain, the sheer volume of praise can fill the entire church.

What makes this arrangement so effective for a choir is the way it balances unison storytelling with explosive harmony. The verses walk us through the elements—water, fire, earth, and wind—before culminating in a powerful doxology to the Father, Son, and Spirit. It is a perfect reminder that our voices at Mass are just one part of a much larger, cosmic song of thanksgiving.