This hymn was composed in the 8th century by an unknown poet. In 1905, Mary Elizabeth Bryne, a scholar in Dublin, Ireland, translated this ancient Irish poem into English. Later, another scholar, Eleanor Hull of Manchester, English, took Bryne’s translation and created verses with rhyme and meter. It was then set to this traditional Irish folk song “Slane”.
Lyrics: Irish hymn, c. 8th century
Music: Irish melody – Slane
Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.
This is an old but meaningful hymn.
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