I had the privilege of writing and playing music for St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Portland, Oregon in the 1970s and ’80s.
On October 4th, 2015, Feast of St. Francis, the current “folk group” was joined by musicians and singers from the folk group who had performed at the church’s 100th Anniversary in 1981. The celebration was recorded and the resulting album, Songs of St. Francis, is available for download here.
This song was written by Tim McCarthy for the celebration of the 100th Anniversary of St Francis of Assisi Church, October 1982.
To download Francis, Lover of Nature individually, click the Add MP3 to Cart button below.
Credits:
Recorded October 4, 2015, Feast of St. Francis, St Francis of Assisi Church, Portland, OR
Recording Engineer- John Dalrymple, Seymour Labs
Mixing and Sweetening- Seymour Lovejoy, Love Seed Records studio
Composer- Tim McCarthy. Lyrics based upon St. Francis’s Canticle of the Sun.
Publisher- AyaRTee Music (BMI)
Piano- Doug Smith
Bass- Miles Stanton
Lead Guitar- Seymour Lovejoy
Rhythm Guitars- Tim McCarthy, Al Rose, Margaret Chapman, Keith Chapman
Percussion- Mary Fogarty
Flute- Frank Mathew
Lead Vocal- Tim McCarthy
Back Vocals- Karen Mathew, Kathryn Mathew, Steve Stevens, Lourdene Haley, Steve Rice, Jerry Bier, Joan Smith, Brigid Baumann, Pat Bechtold, Al Rose, Juanita Smith
Lyrics:
Verse 1:
Praised be my Lord with all thy creatures
And especially the honored Brother Sun,
Who makes the day and illumines us through thee.
He is beautiful and radiant, with splendor.
Chorus 1:
Praised be my Lord for Sister Moon and Stars,
Formed in Heaven, precious clear and beautiful.
Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks.
To Him alone, Most High, do they belong.
Verse 2:
Praised be my Lord for Brother Wind
For the air and weather that you give your creatures.
Praised be Thou my Lord for Sister Water,
For Brother Fire by whom You light the night.
Chorus 2:
Praised be my Lord for Mother Earth,
Our sister who sustains and governs all.
For fruit and flower and herb we give You thanks, oh Lord,
To Thee alone, Most High, do they belong.
Refrain:
Praised be my Lord.
Praised, praised be my Lord.
Praised, praised be thy creatures.
Brother Sun, Sister Moon and the Stars,
Weather and Air, Sister Water
And the Light in the night, Brother Fire
Mother Earth
Praised be my Lord.
