This Is My Father's World (Terra Beata, Organ, 3 Verses)

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About

The words of this hymn were written by American Presbyterian minister, poet and hymnwriter Maltbie D. Babcock (1858-1901). He was much-loved throughout his life for his magnetic personality and stirring oratorical abilities, and was especially popular with students of John Hopkins University. He originally wrote ‘This Is My Father’s World’ as a poem, which was published posthumously in 1901 by his wife among a collection of his other works. While living in Lockport, New York as a church pastor, he would often go out to walk along the Niagara Escarpment overlooking the New York skyline, and would tell his wife he was “going out to see the Father’s world”.

The tune Terra Beata (‘Blessed World’ in Latin) is based on an English folk song and was arranged by Franklin L. Sheppard (1852-1930), a friend of Babcock, to accompany his words. The hymn was originally published in the Presbyterian school hymnal ‘Alleluia’ in 1915.

Recording

Tune: Terra Beata (also known as Terra Patris), composed by Franklin L Sheppard (1852-1930). Meter 66 86 D. Public domain.
Performance ℗ 2022 Richard Irwin Music®. All rights reserved. ISRC UKTU21900584.
Cover image by Johannes Plenio.

Lyrics

1. This is my Father’s world,
And to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round 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 hand the wonders wrought.

2. This is my Father’s world:
The birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily-white,
Declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world:
He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass,
He speaks to me everywhere.

3. This is my Father’s world:
O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the Ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world:
Why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King: let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let earth be glad!

Lyrics by Maltbie Davenport Babcock (1858-1901). Public domain.
Meter: 66 86 D.