Composer: Ellen Koehler
Arrangement Samples - Click pdf link(s) below to view
Sheet Music Category:
Available Arrangements:
- Hymn
- Lead Sheet
Be Thou My Vision
Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart.
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best thought in the day and the night;
Both waking and sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my wisdom, be Thou my true word.
Thou ever with me and I with Thee, Lord.
Thou my great Father, and I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
Be Thou my breastplate, my sword for my fight,
Thou my whole armor, and Thou my true might.
Thou my soul’s shelter, be Thou my strong tower.
O raise Thou me heavenward, great Power of my power.
Riches I need not, nor man’s empty praise;
Thou mine inheritance now and always.
Thou and Thou only, the first in my heart,
O Sovereign of heaven, my treasure Thou art.
High King of heaven, Thou heaven’s bright sun;
Grant me its joys e’er the victory is won.
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O ruler of all.
Setting: Ellen Koehler. Copyright ©2009 Ellen Koehler.
All Rights Reserved.
Ancient Irish hymn text. Hymn tune: Slane.
Transl. Mary Byrne, 1905. Versified by Eleanor Hull, 1912.
Commentary -
This beloved sung prayer is often cited as an entreaty for protection, in the traditional Irish type known as a lorica. But if we read the text closely, we see that it is a prayer not only for safety and shelter, but one of devotion, love, commitment, submission, confidence and hope. That, together with the lovely Celtic tune, perhaps explains why this hymn has been recorded by so many different artists and groups.
The text is customarily attributed to the sixth-century Irish poet Dallán Forgaill, who penned the poem to commemorate the courage of St. Patrick. According to folklore, in the early fifth century Patrick defied a royal decree that forbade the lighting of any fires before the High King, Lóegaire, signaled the beginning of the pagan spring festival by the lighting of a bonfire. On Easter Eve, on Slane Hill, Patrick ignored the king’s command and, as was his faithful practice, lit candles in worship. It is said that Lóegaire was so impressed by Patrick’s devotion that, instead of executing him for disobedience, Lóegaire allowed Patrick to continue his missionary efforts in Ireland. The oldest extant manuscripts of the poem date back to the tenth century. Hull’s versification was first set to the traditional folk tune in Irish hymnals in 1919.
This setting includes all five verses. The harmonic structure begins simply, adding chordal and bass note changes with successive verses. The third verse departs from the expected harmonies and takes on a somewhat mysterious feel. We often sing four verses as an opening, invocation, or offering song, reprising the hymn with the final verse to close the service. No matter where this hymn is used in worship, the third and fourth lines of each of the verses may be repeated (tagged) to reinforce the prayer that God will always hold first place in our vision, our hearts, and our identity.
Categories: Hymn Settings
Seasons: All, but especially on high days in the liturgical year such as Transfiguration Sunday and Christ the King Sunday.
Liturgical Uses: Gathering, Invocation, Offering, Sending
Key: D
Be Thou My Vision is available as a lead sheet, and scored for piano and/or keyboard (on request).
Copyright ©2017 Ellen Koehler. All Right Reserved.
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