Читать книгу Best Loved Hymns and Readings - Martin Manser - Страница 18

The words for this hymn come originally from an eighth-century Irish poem entitled ‘Rob tu mo bhoile’. It became a great favourite with Irish congregations after first appearing in The Irish Church Hymnal (1919), translated by Mary Elizabeth Byrne (1880-1931) and set to music by Eleanor Henrietta Hull (1860-1935).

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart,

Be all else but naught to me, save that Thou art,

Be 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,

Be Thou ever with me, and I with Thee, Lord,

Be Thou my great Father, and I Thy true son,

Be Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my breastplate, my sword for the fight,

Be Thou my whole armour, be Thou my true might,

Be Thou my soul’s shelter, be Thou my strong tower,

O raise Thou me heavenward, great Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,

Be Thou my inheritance now and always,

Be 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,

O grant me its joys after vict’ry is won,

Great heart of my own heart, whatever befall,

Still be Thou my vision, O Ruler of all.

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