Hymn of Grateful Praise
Words by Folliott S. Pierpoint
Traditional melody (Scarborough Fair) and melody by Conrad Kocher
Arranged by Sally DeFord
“Why this melody?”
That was a friend’s first reaction to this arrangement, and honestly, it’s a good question. As I played around with this hymn, wanting something fresh, “Scarborough Fair” just kept intruding. I shoved it aside, pushed it out the door, and it just kept sneaking back in. It was so insistent on coming along that I let it. As Winnie the Pooh said, “It’s the best way to write… letting things come.”
As you can see, there is an SSAATBB choral version. It will be a bit challenging to learn, and no, I won’t apologize. I was having a good time. It’s suitable for many worship services and auxiliary meetings, but it’s not one I’d include in an LDS Sacrament meeting.
Sheet Music Downloads
Spotify, Soundcloud (inc. free downloads)
Click the 
to download the free track for personal use. Recording featuring vocals by James Loynes:
Accompaniment track:
Apple Music, Amazon
These files may be copied/shared in any quantity in any physical format unless otherwise noted. They may not be re-sold or offered for download.
YouTube
(For the Beauty of the Earth)
For the beauty of the earth,
For the beauty of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.
For the beauty of each hour
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale, and tree and flow’r,
Sun and moon, and stars of light,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.
For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth, and friends above,
For all gentle thoughts and mild,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.
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Which PDF has the accompaniment for the choral version?
Very beautiful. We are looking for the mp3 with choir parts to listen to. Can you please direct us?
Hey Sally, any chance you could make an easier version of this beautiful song? I love it but it’s a beast to play. thanks!
Is it possible to sing this without the violin accompaniment, or would it obviously be missing something? Thank you so much for making all of this beautiful music available!
@Jamie: This was beautifully performed in our Sacrament Meeting as a solo without the violin accompaniment, just piano. It was VERY touching and brought even more of the Spirit to our meeting. In my opinion, it had a worshipful, Native American feel.
LOVE this arrangememt!!!!!