--- title: Nature's Lauds description: Nature's Lauds image: https://mcgrathblog.nd.edu/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Indiana-sparrow-singing-crop.jpg --- Search [![churchlife](https://mcgrathblog.nd.edu/hubfs/Churchlife_Aug2016_Theme/Images/church-life-journal-white-horizontal-1.png)](http://churchlife.nd.edu/) - [Essays](https://mcgrathblog.nd.edu/category/essays) - [Articles](https://mcgrathblog.nd.edu/category/articles) - [Blog](https://mcgrathblog.nd.edu/category/blog-post) - [Contributors](http://churchlife.nd.edu/contributors/) [Blog Posts](https://mcgrathblog.nd.edu/category/blog-post/topic/blog-post), [Jesus Christ](https://mcgrathblog.nd.edu/category/blog-post/topic/jesus-christ), [creation](https://mcgrathblog.nd.edu/category/blog-post/topic/creation), [poetry](https://mcgrathblog.nd.edu/category/blog-post/topic/poetry) Published on [March 16, 2016](https://mcgrathblog.nd.edu/category/blog-post) # Nature's Lauds written by [Carolyn Pirtle](https://mcgrathblog.nd.edu/category/blog-post/author/carolyn-pirtle) [![](https://mcgrathblog.nd.edu/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Indiana-sparrow-singing-crop.jpg)](https://mcgrathblog.nd.edu/category/blog-post/2016/03/16/natures-lauds) Share - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) A sparrow's song broke through the dawn when all was dark and still. Its joyous cry rose on and on, With praise in ev'ry trill. As faintly as its notes had come, too soon, they fade away, until a robin's counterpoint rings in the light of day. The robin then takes up the hymn first one, and yet another— their sweet duet a testament to Him who is our Brother. The Word through whom all things were made gave birds their song to sing, and when he took upon our flesh, He gave us everything. O, sparrows, robins, sing of Christ, the New Song, long-awaited, and teach me, too, to sing His praise for all He has created. Your very lives, dear morning birds, are canticles of praise. May my life, too, resound God's love and glory all my days. ![Carolyn Pirtle](https://mcgrathblog.nd.edu/hubfs/Carolyn-Pirtle-Square.jpg) ### Carolyn Pirtle As Program Director of the Center for Liturgy, Carolyn oversees the planning and facilitation of the Center’s signature events, particularly the annual symposium, Liturgy Week, as well as the McGrath Institute’s annual International Crèche Exhibit and Pilgrimage, and the Marian Procession and May Crowning. Additionally, Carolyn assists with liturgical planning for the entire McGrath Institute, collaborates in the liturgical and musical formation of MICL program participants, and is a contributing member of the editorial board for Church Life Journal, where she writes on liturgical music, aesthetics, devotional practice, and popular culture. Share - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Tagged with:   [Blog Posts](https://mcgrathblog.nd.edu/category/blog-post/topic/blog-post), [Jesus Christ](https://mcgrathblog.nd.edu/category/blog-post/topic/jesus-christ), [creation](https://mcgrathblog.nd.edu/category/blog-post/topic/creation), [poetry](https://mcgrathblog.nd.edu/category/blog-post/topic/poetry) Previous Post [Present in the Presence of the Lord](https://mcgrathblog.nd.edu/category/blog-post/2016/03/15/present-in-the-presence-of-the-lord) Next Post [God in the Darkness: Full of Grace](https://mcgrathblog.nd.edu/category/blog-post/2016/03/16/god-in-the-darkness-full-of-grace) ### Share [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmcgrathblog.nd.edu%2Fcategory%2Fblog-post%2F2016%2F03%2F16%2Fnatures-lauds%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmcgrathblog.nd.edu%2Fcategory%2Fblog-post%2F2016%2F03%2F16%2Fnatures-lauds%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fmcgrathblog.nd.edu%2Fcategory%2Fblog-post%2F2016%2F03%2F16%2Fnatures-lauds%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmcgrathblog.nd.edu%2Fcategory%2Fblog-post%2F2016%2F03%2F16%2Fnatures-lauds%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Nature%27s%20Lauds) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fmcgrathblog.nd.edu%2Fcategory%2Fblog-post%2F2016%2F03%2F16%2Fnatures-lauds%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fmcgrathblog.nd.edu%2Fcategory%2Fblog-post%2F2016%2F03%2F16%2Fnatures-lauds%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ### Categories - [Blog Posts (113)](https://mcgrathblog.nd.edu/category/blog-post/topic/blog-post) - [Easter (24)](https://mcgrathblog.nd.edu/category/blog-post/topic/easter) - [Mass for Millennials (21)](https://mcgrathblog.nd.edu/category/blog-post/topic/mass-for-millennials) - [mystagogy (17)](https://mcgrathblog.nd.edu/category/blog-post/topic/mystagogy) - [timothypomalley (13)](https://mcgrathblog.nd.edu/category/blog-post/topic/timothypomalley) - [Notre Dame (12)](https://mcgrathblog.nd.edu/category/blog-post/topic/notre-dame) ![Institute for Church Life](https://mcgrathblog.nd.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Churchlife_Aug2016_Theme/Images/icl-lockup-01.png?width=318&name=icl-lockup-01.png "Institute for Church Life") ### About the ICL The Institute for Church Life animates the University of Notre Dame’s direct service to the Church through outreach in theological education, research, faith formation, and leadership development. ### Church Life Journal - [About](http://churchlife.nd.edu/about/) - [Archives](http://churchlife.nd.edu/archives/) - [Contact](http://churchlife.nd.edu/contact/) - [Contributors](http://churchlife.nd.edu/contributors/) - [Journal Submission Guidelines](http://churchlife.nd.edu/journal-submission/) ### Follow Us - - - Copyright © 2016 University of Notre Dame | Institute for Church Life