51. For the beauty of the earth
Folliott S. Pierpoint, 1835-1917
This delightful hymn of thanksgiving was originally written for the communion service to bring the note of joy into the solemn sacrament, making it truly an “eucharist.” It is now used frequently at Thanksgiving and children’s services. It names many causes for praise and thanksgiving, from the “beauty of the earth” to the “church that lifteth holy hands.”
The author, Folliott S. Pierpoint, was born at Bath, England, and educated at Cambridge. He was a teacher of the classics, published several books of poems, and made notable contributions to the hymnody of the church.
MUSIC. DIX appeared first in a collection of chorales edited and published by Kocher in Stuttgart in 1838, set to the hymn “Treuer Heiland, wir sind hier.” It has long been used with the words, “As with gladness men of old” ([530]), by W. C. Dix, hence the name “Dix.” It has a strong, joyous tune which marches with stately tread and is a favorite processional.
Conrad Kocher, 1786-1872, was a German student of church music, a composer and teacher. He studied at St. Petersburg and in Rome. He founded the School of Sacred Song in Stuttgart, which did much to improve German church music and popularize four-part singing in Germany.