Author: Mary Elizabeth Byrne; Eleanor H. Hull Meter: 10.10.10.10 Appears in 164 hymnals Topics: The Church in the World Commitment: Pilgrimage; Commitment First Line: Be thou my vision, O joy of my heart Lyrics: 1 Be thou my vision, O joy 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, my calm in all strife;
I ever with thee, and thou in my life;
thou loving parent, thy child may I be,
thou in me dwelling, and I one with thee.
3 Be thou my battle shield, sword for the fight;
be thou my dignity, thou my delight,
thou my soul's shelter, thou my high tower;
raise thou my heavenward, O power of my power.
4 Riches I heed not, nor vain empty praise,
thou mine inheritance, now and always;
thou and thou only, first in my heart,
great God of heaven, my treasure thou art.
5 Great God of heaven, after 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. Used With Tune: SLANE Text Sources: Irish, ca. 8th century
Be Thou My Vision