Be Thou My Vision

Feel the hopeful lyrics of “Be Thou My Vision” sung by Josh Thorne and accompanied by harp and Irish whistle, and performed on the small island of Inisheer, Ireland, the setting with the lyrics are reminders that God’s grace and guidance shine for us like a lighthouse beacon. Be blessed by this timeless prayer. Keep reading to learn how it took 1,500 years for the original poem to become a favorite hymn among Christians.

  • “Be Thou My Vision” Lyrics

    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, be Thou my true Word;
    I ever with Thee and Thou with me, 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 the fight;
    Be Thou my armor, be Thou my true might.
    Be Thou my soul's shelter, be Thou my strong tower;
    Raise Thou me heavenward, great power of my power.

    Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise;
    Thou mine inheritance, now and always.
    Thou and Thou only, the first in my heart,
    High King of Heaven, my treasure Thou art.

    High King of Heaven, Thou heaven’s bright sun,
    Grant me its joys after victory is won.
    Heart of my heart, whatever befall,
    Still be my vision, Oh Ruler of all.

  • Click on the image to download a free PDF of the lyrics to “Be Thou My Vision.”

Watch this video of “Be Thou My Vision” and be filled with hope in this prayerful song for wisdom and strength.

The Story Behind “Be Thou My Vision”

In 1905, Mary Elizabeth Byrne was a 25-year-old university student in Dublin, Ireland. While studying languages, Ms. Byrne came across a fourteenth century copy of a sixth-century Gaelic poem titled “Rop tú mo Baile.” The poem is often attributed to sixth-century Irish poet St. Dallán Forgaill. However, authorship cannot be completely certain. Sticking closely to the poem's original lines, Ms. Byrne wrote two translations of the Old Irish poem. 

Five years later fellow Irishwoman Eleanor Hull modernized Ms. Byrne’s translation into rhyming couplets to make it singable. It was set to the traditional Irish tune “Slane.” The combination of powerful lyrics and a beautiful melody became an instant favorite among Christians in 1919, when the song was published in the Irish Church Hymnal.

The Origins of the Lyrics and Tune

Toward the end of the 4th century, 16-year-old Maewyn Succat— better known as St. Patrick—was taken from his family in Scotland and sold to a pig farmer in Ireland. Patrick battled the bitter cold and miserable weather as he tended the animals. He often thought of his family back home and the lessons and prayers they taught him about God’s love and grace.

After seven long, cold, miserable years, Patrick had a dream. In the dream, God told him to return to his family. Patrick soon found himself on a ship heading home where he was happily reunited with his loved ones. He had another dream that told him to return to Ireland to tell others about God’s love for each of them. St. Patrick served the Irish people throughout the rest of his life.

The Irish king worshiped a pagan god, and he required that everyone in Ireland worship that same god too. Patrick refused. It is said that he boldly lit a fire for Easter on Slane Hill. Both the poem “Rop tú mo Baile” and the ”Slane” melody honor St. Patrick’s steadfast love for Christ. 

  • Want to learn more about St. Patrick?

  • Check out our brand-new History Year 1 course!

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  • Click on the image to download a free PDF of the lyrics to “Be Thou My Vision.”

Coming Soon!

This hymn is part of our forthcoming music appreciation course. Visit our Coming Soon page for the latest updates on this and other upcoming courses.

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