For the beauty of the earth

For the beauty of the earth. Folliott Sandford Pierpoint* (1835-1917). First published in Lyra Eucharistica, edited by Orby Shipley* (2nd Edition, 1864), in eight 4-line verses with refrain, entitled ‘The Sacrifice of Praise’. It is said to have been inspired by the view of Pierpoint’s native city of Bath on a spring day. In its first printing it was a hymn for Holy Communion, appearing in the final section of Lyra Eucharistica, ‘Miscellaneous Hymns’. It echoes part of the post-communion prayer in the Book of Common Prayer (1662): ‘…we thy humble servants entirely desire thy fatherly goodness mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving…’. With alterations and...