William Henry Draper (1855-1933) was an English clergyman and hymnodist whose gifts for poetry and music shaped congregational singing across the Anglican tradition. His most enduring contribution came in 1919 when he paired new words to the traditional Lasst uns erfreuen melody, creating a text that captures St. Francis of Assisi's radical vision of creation as a chorus of praise. Draper's lyrics transformed a medieval tune into a modern expression of faith that continues to resonate in choirs worldwide.
As both a spiritual leader and creative artist, Draper understood how powerful a single pairing of text and tune could become. His work demonstrates the ongoing vitality of hymn writing as a living tradition, not merely the preservation of the past. For music educators, Draper's career illustrates how thoughtful collaboration between words and music creates pieces that endure across generations and congregations.
