This Is My Father’s World
For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.
1 Corinthians 10:26 KJV
About the Song
Words: Maltbie D. Babcock (1858-1901), adapted
Music: Franklin L. Sheppard (1852-1930), adapted
Arranged by Sally DeFord
This lovely old hymn was suggested to me by a member of our local LDS institute choir, and became the theme song for our 2013 Thanksgiving concert.
There are several more stanzas–I used only a few, with one serving as a chorus. These aren’t the verses that are traditionally sung, but they were so beautiful they begged to be included. I have adapted words and melody to better fit the arrangement, but I tried to maintain the beauty of the original as much as possible.
The solo is written a key lower than the SATB, and you can use it to accompany the choral by omitting the chords in measures 57-63. Using the SATB accompaniment for the solo is also possible, but note that there are no chords under the a cappella section. Better than either, just download the .pc file and the Personal Composer demo, and transpose them to your preferred key.
The score does divide into SSAATTB for two chords on the last page. Don’t let it scare you–the notes are easy to find, and our choir learned the passage in no time. Lest you wonder… yes, that last chord is supposed to be somewhat dissonant, and it should definitely “ring.”
Sheet Music Downloads
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Recording featuring vocals by James Loynes:
Accompaniment track:
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Lyrics
This is my Father’s world
And to my listening ears
All nature sings, and around me rings
the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas
His mighty hand has wrought
(Chorus)
This is my Father’s world
Should my heart be ever sad?
The Lord is king
Let the heavens ring
Let all the earth be glad
This is my Father’s world
The birds their carols raise
The morning light, the lilies white
declare their Maker’s praise
(Repeat chorus)
This is my Father’s world
From shining courts above
He sent His Son, the Beloved One,
a pledge of deathless love
This is my Father’s world
Oh let me not forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet
(Repeat chorus)
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This is one of my favorite hymns from growing up, and I miss singing it, so I was very excited to give this piece a go. It quickly became a ward choir favorite—sang it last June and I’m thinking we may pull it out again toward the end of next summer as well.
God bless you, Sally DeFord! Thank you for sharing these songs!
Thank you, once again, Sally DeFord, you are wonderful! We have shared many of your beautiful songs as a Ward Choir. Your beautiful talent, and generosity in sharing so freely your creations, has been a true blessing to more than ever could be numbered. I would love to meet you someday! (Do you ever speak publicly?)
Dee Grappendorf
Sandy Crescent 16th Ward Choir Director