"Be Thou My Vision" (Old Irish: Rop tú mo baile or Rob tú mo bhoile) is a traditional Christian hymn of Irish origin. The words are based on a Middle Irish poem that has traditionally been attributed to Dallán Forgaill probably from the six century
The best-known English version, with some minor variations, was translated in 1905 by Mary Elizabeth Byrne, then made into verse by Eleanor Hull and published in 1912. Since 1919 it has been commonly sung to an Irish folk tune, noted as "Slane" in church hymnals, and is one of the most popular hymns in the United Kingdom. There have been many variations in the lyrics over the years
Below are the lyrics most commonly used. The lyrics in bold type I added.
Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
All in thy glory, and glory thou art -
thou my best thought, in the day and the night;
waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.
Be thou my breastplate, my sword for the fight
Be Thow my armor and Be thow my might
Thy my soul shelter and Thy my high tower
Raise Thow me heavenward by Thy almighty power
May I love thee in all things and above all Thee love
Till I see thy glory in heaven above
Riches I heed not, nor man’s, empty praise;
thou mine inheritance, through all of my days
Bless your Son’s vicar of thy Church on earth
And all her children to whom she gives birth
Who feeds and sustains them and raises them up
By giving them thy word and Eucharist and Cup
Lord of all Hope, Lord of all Joy
Whose trust ever childlike no fears could destroy
Be there at our awaking and give us we pray
Your Love in our hearts Lord at the break of each day
Lord of all being enthroned from afar
Your divine glory flames from sun and stars
Center and soul of every sphere
Yes to loving hearts how you are near
Sun of our life below and above
Whose light is truth whose warmth is Love
Star of our hope your pure gentle light
Ever cheers us on the longest night
Give us your grace to make us true
And kindling hearts that burn for you
Till all your living altars claim
One holy light one heavenly flame
May I love thee in all things and above all Thee love
Till I see thy glory in heaven above
Riches I heed not, nor man’s, empty praise;
Thou mine inheritance, through all of my days