The earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
Genesis 1:12
Words: B. P. Neuman, in The Church Hymnary, edited by Edwin A. Bedell (New York: Charles E. Merrill, 1893), number 932.
Music: Sunshine George E. Oliver, 1893 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know Neuman’s full name, or where to get a good photo of him (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels), or a better one of Oliver,
The beautiful bright sunshine,
That smiles on all below,
The waving trees, the cool, soft breeze,
The rippling streams that flow,
The shadows on the hillsides,
The many tinted flowers,
O God! how fair Thy loving care
Has made this earth of ours!
The beautiful affections
That gather round our way,
The joys that rise from household ties,
And deepen day by day;
The tender love that guards us
Whenever danger lowers,
O God! how fair Thy loving care
Has made this earth of ours!
But brighter is the shining,
And tender is the love,
And purer still the joys which fill
The unseen home above—
The home where all His children
Shall sing with fuller power,
O God! how fair Thy loving care
Has made this earth of ours!
