|
"Be Thou My Vision"
to many of you. BE THOU MY VISION Rob tu mo bhoile, a Comidi cride. Ni ni nech aile, acht ri secht nime . . . . Well, there it is in the original Old Irish (8th century). Below is the literal English prose version that dates from 1905. Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart. None other is aught but the King of the seven heavens. Be thou my meditation by day and night; May it be thou that I behold even in my sleep. Be thou my speech, be thou my understanding, Be thou with me, be I with thee. Be thou my father, be I thy son. Mayst thou be mine, may I be thine. Be thou my battle-shield, be thou my sword. Be thou my dignity, be thou my delight. Be thou my shelter, be thou my stronghold. Mayst thou raise me up to the company of the angels. Be thou every good to my body and soul. Be thou my kingdom in heaven and on earth. Be thou solely chief love of my heart. Let there be none other, O high King of Heaven. Till I am able to pass into thy hands, My treasure, my beloved, through the greatness of thy love. Be thou alone my noble and wondrous estate. I seek not men, nor lifeless wealth. Be thou the constant guardian of every possession and every life. For our corrupt desires are dead at the mere sight of thee. Thy love in my soul and in my heart- Grant this to me, O King of the seven heavens. O King of the seven heavens grant me this- Thy love to be in my heart and in my soul. With the King of all, with him after victory won by piety May I be in the kingdom of heaven O brightness of the son. Beloved Father, hear, hear my lamentations; Timely is the cry of woe of this miserable wretch. O heart of my heart, whate'er befall me, O ruler of all, be thou my vision. - Mary Byrne (1905), English prose version of an 8th century Irish prayer, as quoted by James D. Smith III, in his article "Be Thou My Vision," from CHRISTIAN HISTORY MAGAZINE, Issue 60, (Vol. XVII, No. 4). For subscription information, call 1-800-873-6986 or email: CTifulfill@aol.com. [The version we know and sing was written in 1912 by Eleanor Hull in her POEM BOOK OF THE GAEL.] Have a great week, Chip Stam Pastor of Worship and Music Chapel Hill Bible Church Chapel Hill, North Carolina |