The Cyber Hymnal ‎#7227

7227. We Plow the Fields

1. We plow 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.

Refrain
All good gifts around us
Are sent from heaven above,
Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord
For all His love.

2. He only is the Maker
of all things near and far;
He paints the wayside flower,
He lights the evening star;
The winds and waves obey Him,
by Him the birds are fed;
Much more to us, His children,
He gives our daily bread. [Refrain]

3. We thank Thee, then, O Father,
for all things bright and good,
The seed time and the harvest,
our life, our health, and food;
No gifts have we to offer,
for all Thy love imparts,
But that which Thou desirest,
our humble, thankful hearts. [Refrain]

Text Information

• First Line: We plow the fields, and scatter
• Title: We Plow the Fields
• German Title: Wir pflügen und wir streuen
• Author: Matthias Claudius (1782)
• Translator (from German): Jane M. Campbell
• Refrain First Line: All good gifts around us
• Meter: 76.76 D refrain
• Language: English
• Source: Paul Erdmann's Fest, 1782; translation first appeared in A Garland of Songs, by Charles S. Bere, 1862
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: Claudius heard the words sung by local farmers.

Tune Information

• Name: WIR PFLÜGEN
• Composer: Johann Abraham Peter Schulz (1800)
• Meter: 76.76 D refrain
• Incipit: 51155 31543 21517
• Key: A Major
• Source: Lieder für Volksschulen mit Musik, edited by A. L. Hoppenstedt (Hanover, Germany: 1800)
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: The music was first published anonymously, then later attributed to Schulz.