Be Thou My Vision

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day (a little belatedly, since it was celebrated on the 17th) we are singing one of the most familiar hymns of Irish origin. The words of “Be Thou My Vision” have been attributed to Dallan Forgaill, an early Irish poet. His first name is actually a nickname meaning “little blind one.” It is said that he studied so intensively that he went blind. Perhaps this adds a new meaning to his text, proclaiming Christ to be his vision. Dallan was later martyred when pirates attacked the monastery at Inniskeel. He was elevated to sainthood in the 11th century.

The music to which we sing the text is also of Irish origin. The tune is named SLANE, after Slane Hill, which is about ten miles from Tara in County Meath. According to Cyberhymnal, “It was on Slane Hill around 433 AD that St. Patrick defied a royal edict by lighting candles on Easter Eve. High King Logaire of Tara had decreed that no one could light a fire before Logaire began the pagan spring festival by lighting a fire on Tara Hill. Logaire was so impressed by Patrick’s devotion that, despite his defiance (or perhaps because of it), he let him continue his missionary work. The rest is history.”

The text itself is not only beautiful poetry; it is also a beautiful prayer of trust and devotion.

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.

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 heav'n's sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever be fall,
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.