Singing the Living Tradition ‎#20

20. Be Thou My Vision

1 Be thou my vision, O God 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.

2 Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word;
I ever with thee and thou with me God;
thou my soul’s shelter, thou my high tower.
raise thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

3 Riches I heed not, nor world's empty praise,
thou my inheritance, now and always;
thou and thou only, first in my heart,
Sov'reign of heaven, my treasure thou art.

Text Information

• First Line: Be thou my vision, O God of my heart
• Title: Be Thou My Vision
• Translator: Mary E. Byrne, 1880-1391
• Versifier: Eleanor H. Hull, 1860-1935 (alt.)
• Meter: 10.10.9.10.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1993
• Topic: Transcending Mystery and Wonder: Praise and Transcendence; Faith; God, Goddess, and Spirit
• Source: Ancient Irish

Tune Information

• Name: SLANE
• Harmonizer: Carlton R. Young, 1926-
• Meter: 10.10.9.10.
• Key: E♭ Major
• Source: Traditional Irish melody
• Copyright: Harmony renewal © 1992 Abingdon Press