Be Thou My Vision
Encyclopedia
Be Thou My Vision is a traditional hymn
from Ireland
, which is commonly attributed to Dallán Forgaill
. It is popular among English-speaking
churches around the world.
in the 8th century. The text had been a part of Irish monastic
tradition for centuries before its setting to the tune, therefore, before it became an actual hymn. It was translated from Old Irish
into English by Mary E. Byrne, M.A.
, in Ériu
(the journal of the School of Irish Learning
), in 1905. The English text was first versified by Eleanor H. Hull, in 1912, and is now the most common text used.
.
, 1912
many times. The most popular is that by Aodh Ó Dúgain of Gaoth Dobhair, County Donegal
. Two verses of his translation were recorded by his grand-daughter Moya Brennan
– the first time any part of his text has been publicly recorded. Since then, those two verses have been recorded by many artists including Roma Downey
& Aoife and Iona
.
These verses are very close translations to the first two of the Old Irish text above.
. Soills’ Air Mo Smuain
High King
Lóegaire
of Tara
by lighting candles on Easter Eve. Besides this general connection to Christianity, the folk song has little prior connection to the text. The two were first combined by Welsh composer David Evans
in the 1927 edition of the Church of Scotland
's Church Hymnary.
Hymn
A hymn is a type of song, usually religious, specifically written for the purpose of praise, adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification...
from Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, which is commonly attributed to Dallán Forgaill
Dallan Forgaill
Saint Dallán Forgaill —also Dallán Forchella; Dallán of Cluain Dalláin; born Eochaid Forchella—was an early Christian Irish poet best known as the writer of the Amra Choluim Chille and the early Irish poem Rop tú mo baile, the basis of the modern English hymn Be Thou My Vision.-Personal...
. It is popular among English-speaking
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
churches around the world.
History
The original Old Irish text, Rop tú mo Baile is often attributed to Dallan ForgaillDallan Forgaill
Saint Dallán Forgaill —also Dallán Forchella; Dallán of Cluain Dalláin; born Eochaid Forchella—was an early Christian Irish poet best known as the writer of the Amra Choluim Chille and the early Irish poem Rop tú mo baile, the basis of the modern English hymn Be Thou My Vision.-Personal...
in the 8th century. The text had been a part of Irish monastic
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
tradition for centuries before its setting to the tune, therefore, before it became an actual hymn. It was translated from Old Irish
Old Irish language
Old Irish is the name given to the oldest form of the Goidelic languages for which extensive written texts are extant. It was used from the 6th to the 10th centuries, by which time it had developed into Middle Irish....
into English by Mary E. Byrne, M.A.
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
, in Ériu
Ériu (journal)
Ériu is an academic journal of Irish language studies. It was launched in 1904 as the journal of the School of Irish Learning in Dublin. When the School was incorporated into the Royal Irish Academy in 1926, the Academy continued publication of the journal, in the same format and with the same title...
(the journal of the School of Irish Learning
School of Irish Learning
The School of Irish Learning was a center for Irish studies in Dublin founded in 1903 by Kuno Meyer, who talked of "the necessity of bringing the [Irish revivalist] movement into direct and intimate relations with scholarship, to provide an avenue for every student of Irish to the higher regions of...
), in 1905. The English text was first versified by Eleanor H. Hull, in 1912, and is now the most common text used.
Original Text
The original texts of the now-called Be Thou My Vision are in Old Irish, similar still in style to modern IrishIrish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
.
- Rop tú mo baile, a Choimdiu cride:
- ní ní nech aile acht Rí secht nime.
- Rop tú mo scrútain i l-ló 's i n-aidche;
- rop tú ad-chëar im chotlud caidche.
- Rop tú mo labra, rop tú mo thuicsiu;
- rop tussu dam-sa, rob misse duit-siu.
- Rop tussu m'athair, rob mé do mac-su;
- rop tussu lem-sa, rob misse lat-su.
- Rop tú mo chathscíath, rop tú mo chlaideb;
- rop tussu m'ordan, rop tussu m'airer.
- Rop tú mo dítiu, rop tú mo daingen;
- rop tú nom-thocba i n-áentaid n-aingel.
- Rop tú cech maithius dom churp, dom anmain;
- rop tú mo flaithius i n-nim 's i talmain.
- Rop tussu t' áenur sainserc mo chride;
- ní rop nech aile acht Airdrí nime.
- Co talla forum, ré n-dul it láma,
- mo chuit, mo chotlud, ar méit do gráda.
- Rop tussu t' áenur m' urrann úais amra:
- ní chuinngim daíne ná maíne marba.
- Rop amlaid dínsiur cech sel, cech sáegul,
- mar marb oc brénad, ar t' fégad t' áenur.
- Do serc im anmain, do grád im chride,
- tabair dam amlaid, a Rí secht nime.
- Tabair dam amlaid, a Rí secht nime,
- do serc im anmain, do grád im chride.
- Go Ríg na n-uile rís íar m-búaid léire;
- ro béo i flaith nime i n-gile gréine
- A Athair inmain, cluinte mo núall-sa:
- mithig (mo-núarán!) lasin trúagán trúag-sa.
- A Chríst mo chride, cip ed dom-aire,
- a Flaith na n-uile, rop tú mo baile.
English Translation
by Mary Byrne, 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, whatever befall me,
- O ruler of all, be thou my vision.
English Versification
by Eleanor HullEleanor Hull
Eleanor Henrietta Hull was born in England, of a County Down family. She was educated at Alexandra College, Dublin and was a student of Irish Studies. She was a journalist and scholar of Old Irish and in 1899 was co-founder of the Irish Texts Society for the publication of early manuscripts...
, 1912
- 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, 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 breastplate, 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.
Modern Irish Translations
The hymn has been translated into modern IrishIrish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
many times. The most popular is that by Aodh Ó Dúgain of Gaoth Dobhair, County Donegal
County Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
. Two verses of his translation were recorded by his grand-daughter Moya Brennan
Moya Brennan
Moya Brennan, born Máire Ní Bhraonáin , also known as Máire Brennan , is an Irish folk singer, songwriter, harpist, and philanthropist who began performing professionally in 1970, when her family formed the band Clannad, and is now widely considered as the "First Lady of Celtic Music"...
– the first time any part of his text has been publicly recorded. Since then, those two verses have been recorded by many artists including Roma Downey
Roma Downey
Roma Downey is an actress, singer, and producer, from Derry, Northern Ireland. She is best known as Tess's angel/employee, Monica, the main character of the TV series Touched by an Angel. She is also the wife of television producer, Mark Burnett.-Early life:Downey was born and raised in Derry...
& Aoife and Iona
Iona (band)
Iona is the name of a progressive Celtic rock band from the United Kingdom, which was formed in the late 1980s by lead vocalist Joanne Hogg and multi-instrumentalists David Fitzgerald and Dave Bainbridge....
.
These verses are very close translations to the first two of the Old Irish text above.
- Bí Thusa ’mo shúile a Rí mhór na ndúil
- Líon thusa mo bheatha mo chéadfaí ’s mo stuaim
- Bí thusa i m'aigne gach oíche ’s gach lá
- Im chodladh no im dhúiseacht, líon mé le do ghrá.
- Bí thusa ’mo threorú i mbriathar ’s i mbeart
- Fan thusa go deo liom is coinnigh mé ceart
- Glac cúram mar Athair, is éist le mo ghuí
- Is tabhair domsa áit cónaí istigh i do chroí.
Modern Scottish Gaelic Translation
With Old Irish being an ancestor language of Modern Scottish Gaelic, the song was translated by Céitidh Mhoireasdan and publish by Sabhal Mòr OstaigSabhal Mòr Ostaig
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig is a Scottish Gaelic medium college located about north of Armadale on the Sleat peninsula of the island of Skye in northwestern Scotland. It is part of the University of the Highlands and Islands and also has a campus on Islay known as Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle.The college was...
. Soills’ Air Mo Smuain
- Dèan dhòmh-sa tuigse,
- Cuir soils’ air mo smuain;
- Dh’iarrainn gur Tu
- Bhiodh ’gam stiùreadh gach uair;
- Làmh rium ’s an oidhche
- Is romhan ’s an tràth,
- Réidh rium ’sa mhadainn
- Agus glèidh mi tro’n latha.
- Ceartas do m’ bhriathran
- Agus fìrinn do m’ bheul,
- Thusa toirt iùil dhomh
- ’S mi dlùth riut, a Dhè.
- Athair, thoir gràdh dhomh,
- Gabh mis’ thugad fhéin;
- Cum mi ri d’ thaobh
- Is bi daonnan ’nam chrè.
- Dìon mi, a Thighearna,
- Ri mo chliathaich ’s gach feachd;
- Cum mi fo d’ sgiath
- ’S thoir dhomh misneachd is neart,
- Fasgadh do m’ anam
- Is mi ri d’uchd dlùth;
- Treòraich mi dhachaigh,
- Dhè chumhachdaich Thu.
- Beartas cha’n fhiach leam;
- No miann chlann ’nan daoin’,
- Thusa na m’ fhianais
- Fad làithean mo shaogh’il
- Thusa, Dhè ghràsmhoir,
- A-mhain na mo chrìdh’,
- Le blaths is gràdh sìorraidh,
- Mo thighearna ’s mo Rìgh.
Other languages
- Bahasa Indonesia - Kaulah, ya Tuhan, Surya hidupku
- Dutch - Wees Mijn Verlangen
- French - Qu'en toi je vive, Seigneur bien aimé
- German - Steh mir vor Augen
- Norwegian - Deg å få skode
- Spanish - Oh Dios, Sé Mi Visión or Oh Dios de mi alma, Sé Mi Visión
- A Swedish ballad titled Gå inte förbi was recorded by Sissel KyrkjebøSissel KyrkjebøSissel Kyrkjebø , also simply known as Sissel, is a Norwegian soprano.Sissel is considered one of the world's top crossover sopranos. Sissel's musical style runs the gamut from pop recordings and folk songs, to classical vocals and operatic arias...
and Peter JöbackPeter JöbackPeter Arne Jöback is a Swedish singer and musical artist, and is regarded as being one of Sweden's best male vocalists .- 1997–2000 :...
in 2003 using the melody 'Slane' (the usual melody for Be Thou My Vision) but the lyrics have little to do with the Irish text.
Tune
The music is the Irish folk song, Slane, which is about Slane Hill where in A.D. 433 St. Patrick defied the paganPaganism
Paganism is a blanket term, typically used to refer to non-Abrahamic, indigenous polytheistic religious traditions....
High King
High King of Ireland
The High Kings of Ireland were sometimes historical and sometimes legendary figures who had, or who are claimed to have had, lordship over the whole of Ireland. Medieval and early modern Irish literature portrays an almost unbroken sequence of High Kings, ruling from Tara over a hierarchy of...
Lóegaire
Lóegaire mac Néill
Lóegaire , also Lóeguire, is said to have been a son of Niall of the Nine Hostages. The Irish annals and king lists include him as a King of Tara or High King of Ireland. He appears as an adversary of Saint Patrick in several hagiographies...
of Tara
Hill of Tara
The Hill of Tara , located near the River Boyne, is an archaeological complex that runs between Navan and Dunshaughlin in County Meath, Leinster, Ireland...
by lighting candles on Easter Eve. Besides this general connection to Christianity, the folk song has little prior connection to the text. The two were first combined by Welsh composer David Evans
David Evans (composer)
David Evans was a Welsh musician and composer.Evans was born at Resolven, Glamorgan. He worked in the coal industry as a teenager, but music was always his primary interest. He won a music scholarship and became a pupil of Joseph Parry, which led to his qualifying at University of Wales, Cardiff,...
in the 1927 edition of the Church of Scotland
Church of Scotland
The Church of Scotland, known informally by its Scots language name, the Kirk, is a Presbyterian church, decisively shaped by the Scottish Reformation....
's Church Hymnary.
Notable Recordings
- Moya BrennanMoya BrennanMoya Brennan, born Máire Ní Bhraonáin , also known as Máire Brennan , is an Irish folk singer, songwriter, harpist, and philanthropist who began performing professionally in 1970, when her family formed the band Clannad, and is now widely considered as the "First Lady of Celtic Music"...
– on Whisper to the Wild WaterWhisper to the Wild WaterWhisper to the Wild Water is a music album by Irish musician Máire Brennan, now known as Moya Brennan. This was the fourth solo outing for her, released in 1999.Recordings were made in various studios in Ireland during 1999:...
. - Van MorrisonVan MorrisonVan Morrison, OBE is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are regarded as transcendental and inspired; while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are widely...
– on Hymns to the SilenceHymns to the SilenceHymns to the Silence is the twenty-first album by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison, released in 1991 It peaked at No. 5 in the UK...
. - Pedro the LionPedro the LionPedro the Lion was an indie rock band from Seattle, Washington. Singer-songwriter David Bazan formed the band in 1995 and represented its main creative force, backed by a varying rotation of collaborating musicians. T. W. Walsh is considered to be the sole official band member besides Bazan. In...
– on The Only Reason I Feel SecureThe Only Reason I Feel SecureThe Only Reason I Feel Secure is the second EP by Pedro the Lion. It was released on 17 May 1999 on Made in Mexico Records, and later reissued with three extra tracks on 16 October 2001 on Jade Tree Records...
. - Roma DowneyRoma DowneyRoma Downey is an actress, singer, and producer, from Derry, Northern Ireland. She is best known as Tess's angel/employee, Monica, the main character of the TV series Touched by an Angel. She is also the wife of television producer, Mark Burnett.-Early life:Downey was born and raised in Derry...
& Aoife Ní FhearraighAoife Ní FhearraighAoife is an Irish singer and composer, born in Gweedore , northwest County Donegal. She performs Traditional Irish and New Age music, in the style of other musicians native to the Donegal area like Clannad, Moya Brennan, Enya and Altan...
- on An Irish Holiday
External links
- Rop tú mo baile (Original Irish Version)
- Rop tú mo baile - pronunciation - soundfile by Dennis King
- CPDL.org Article
- Lyrics, History and MIDI at CyberHymnal
- Utah Baroque Ensemble Version with Lyrics at Your-Church.com
- Christianity Today Library article with text of Mary Byrne's English translation
- Be Thou My Vision tune information and sheet music on TradTune.com