"Be Thou My Vision," a popular Christian hymn, has deep roots in the history of Ireland. St. Patrick played a major role in its inspiration, as did a pagan king and a forbidden fire.
St. Patrick and the Hill of Slane
In 433 AD St. Patrick came to the Hill of Slane in County Meath. It was the night before Easter, and concurrently the beginning of the Druidic festival of Bealtine, as well as the beginning of the Spring Equinox. High King Leoghaire (pronounced "Leary") mac Neill had issued a decree that no fires were to be lit until the lighting of the blaze atop nearby Tara Hill that would usher in the Spring Equinox.
The first fire, however, was not that of King Leoghaire. Rather, it was a flame lit by St. Patrick to celebrate the resurrection of Christ.
Instead of executing him, King Leoghaire was so impressed by St. Patrick's courage that he allowed him to continue with his missionary work throughout Ireland.
Writing the Words to "Be Thou My Vision"
Considered Ireland's chief poet during his time, Dallan Forgaill, who was killed by pirates in 598, was known as a studious and scholarly man. It was said that he spent so much time reading, writing, and studying that he became blind.
Inspired by the events on the Hill of Slane about 100 years earlier, Dallan Forgaill wrote the original words to "Be Thou My Vision" in old Irish, as a poem entitled " Rop tu mo baile."
The poem was not translated into English until 1905 when Mary E. Byrne (1880-1931) wrote a literal translation of the words in English prose. The words were made into verse and published by Eleanor H. Hull (1860-1935) in her 1913 work entitled Poem Book of the Gael.
Irish Folk Song
The tune to "Be Thou My Vision" is called SLANE, an old Irish folk melody, named for the Hill of Slane. Though centuries old, the melody was first published by Patrick W. Joyce (1827-1914) in his 1909 collection, Old Irish Folk Music and Songs, under the title "By the Banks of the Bann."
The melody was first coupled with Hull's versified words to "Be Thou My Vision" in 1919 by Leopold Dix (1861-1935) in the Irish Church Hymnal.
The Completed Christian Hymn
Though there are some slight variations, the lyrics to "Be Thou My Vision" as they are widely known today are as follows:
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 my 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 Son!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.
"Be Thou My Vision": A Tribute and a Reminder
Inspired by an event that helped change the spiritual climate of Ireland, penned by a renowned Irish poet, and paired with the tune of an old Irish folk song, "Be Thou My Vision" stands as a link between Ireland and its Christian heritage. It is a tribute to a significant event in Ireland's history, and a reminder of the sovereignty, strength, and joy of Jesus.
Sarah McCabe - Sarah scooted around from country to country as a Foreign Service kid, got her BA in linguistics at the College of William and Mary in ...
Join the Conversation