Cecil Frances Alexander: The Hymnwriter Behind “All Things Bright and Beautiful”
This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast:
October 12, 1895
Dearest reader,
On this day, the gentle spirit and prolific hymnwriter Cecil Frances Alexander died.
She was an Anglo-Irish poet whose works have uplifted hearts for over a century. Born in Dublin in 1818, Cecil Frances, known affectionately as Fanny, penned more than 400 hymns, including the beloved classics There Is a Green Hill Far Away, the Christmas carol Once in Royal David's City, and the ever-cherished All Things Bright and Beautiful.
This latter hymn, with verses celebrating the small wonders of the natural world, resonates deeply with both garden lovers and nature watchers.
Recall these vibrant lines:
Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colours,
He made their tiny wings.The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
He made them every one;The tall trees in the greenwood,
The meadows for our play,
The rushes by the water,
To gather every day;All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.
Cecil’s hymns were not only spiritual comforts but also joyful celebrations of creation’s beauty and diversity. Her gift for simple, lyrical language made her hymns accessible to children and adults alike, inviting generations to reflect on the sacredness within every bloom and bird.
Dear reader, as the seasons turn and gardens bloom anew, might these verses inspire a fresh appreciation of the intertwined wonder and wisdom in every leaf and petal?
And how might the timeless truths sung by Cecil Frances Alexander live on in the quiet moments spent amidst your garden’s wonders?
