It was freely translated to English by minister's daughter and author Jane M. Campbell (1817-1878), and originally called "Thanksgiving for the Harvest." She also reduced the original 17 verses to three.
With meter 7.6.7.6 D with refrain, tunes it is set to include:
- WIR PFLÜGEN - the original setting, published anonymously in 1800, but credited to Johann A. P. Schulz in Jungenfreund (1812) - and still used when this is sung as a hymn in church settings
- a folk-ballad setting by Duane Bolick, in the musical Godspell
- a rock setting by Steven Schwartz, also in the musical Godspell
Downloads
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Godspell tune
Traditonal hymn
Examples
Congregation / choir with small orchestra - recorded in a televised church
service:
Choir performance with organ / piano:
Ballad setting from the original Godspell score:
Folksong-version from Godspell:
Choir, unaccompanied:
Soloist and band - professional recording of the version from Godspell:
Unaccompanied shape-note choir:
Choir with organ:
Instrumental - organ:
Lyrics
We plough the fields and scatter(*)The good seed on the land,
But it is fed and watered
By God's almighty hand;
He sends the snow in winter,
The warmth to swell the grain,
The breezes and the sunshine,
And soft refreshing rain.
(*) OR We plough the fields for sowing
Chorus:
All good gifts around us
Are sent from heaven above;
Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord
For all his love.
He only is the Maker
Of all things near and far;
He paints the wayside flower,
He lights the evening star;
The wind and waves obey him,
By him the birds are fed;
Much more to us, his children,
He gives our daily bread.
We thank thee, then, O Father,
For all things bright and good,
The seed-time and the harvest,
Our life, our health, our food.
Accept the gifts we offer
For all your love imparts,
With what we know you long for:
Our humble, thankful hearts.
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