The New English Hymnal ‎#339

339. Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart

1 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.

2 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.

3 Be thou my breastplate, my sword for the fight,
Be thou my whole armor, 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.

4 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.

5 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.

Text Information

• First Line: Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
• Translator: Mary Byrne, 1880-1931
• Versifier: Eleanor Hull, 1860-1935
• Meter: 10 11 11 11
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1986
• Topic: Confirmation
• Source: Irish, c. 8th century

Tune Information

• Name: SLANE
• Composer: Erik Routley, 1917-82
• Meter: 10 11 11 11
• Key: E♭ Major
• Source: Traditional Irish Melody
• Copyright: Arr. By permission of Oxford University Press