MY FAVORITE HYMN

I didn’t know the name Eochaid mac Colla (c. 560 – 640) until today! 

He was a sixth century Irish monk who lived, served and wrote – endearing himself to his people! While visiting a monk friend in a monastery on an island in extreme northwest Ireland he was martyred by pirates who invaded the island monastery. 

    

His nickname, Dallán ("little blind one"), was earned after he lost his sight, reputedly as a result of studying intensively. After writing his best-known work, Amhra Coluim Cille, [a poem about an Irish abbot and missionary evangelist credited with spreading Christianity in what is today Scotland] it is reported that Dallan regained his sight. 

[Credit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dall%C3%A1n_Forgaill]

Why is this name significant to us?

Dallen Forgaille is considered the author of the lyrics for one of the most beloved hymns of the church: “Be Thou My Vision”. The text of the hymn was translated from Old Irish into English by Mary E. Byrne in 1905. Oddly, she chose to to keep the Elizabethan language.  “Be Thou My Vision" is sung to the Irish folk song, “Slane,” which tells the story of Slane Hill where in A.D. 433 St. Patrick lit candles on Easter Eve in defiance of the pagan king Loe-gaire.

The context of the hymn is a prayer proclaiming Christ as our model and ideal. Each stanza begins with an aspect of His provision as: my vision, my wisdom, my true word, my great Father, my inheritance, my treasure, and heart of my heart.

It’s helpful to know the history of this hymn.

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me save that thou art.
Thou my best thought by day and by night;
Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.

Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true Word;
I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord.
Thou my great Father, I thy dear child;
Thou in me dwelling, with thee reconciled.

Be thou my breastplate, my sword for the fight;
Be thou my dignity, thou my delight.
Thou my soul's shelter, thou my high tow'r;
Raise thou me Heav'nward, O Pow'r of my pow'r.

Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise;
Thou mine inheritance, now and always.
Thou and thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my treasure thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven's joys, O bright Heav'ns Sun!
Heart of my heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.

If you’d enjoy a beautiful video with Christyn Getty singing this hymn, click the link: