St. Patrick's Breastplate: sung today at my church

This is the longest hymn we have in our hymnbook, but it's a good'un. We don't even sing all the verses because of time constraints and the fear that people might collapse on the floor after a while from lack of oxygen. :-) Some of the congregants took a little while to get the tune in this recording, but once they did, it turned out quite well. Here are the words of the verses we sing, which were attributed to good old St. Paddy himself, and translated by someone called Cecil Frances. I bind unto myself today the strong Name of the Trinity, by invocation of the same, the Three in One, and One in Three. I bind this day to me for ever, by power of faith, Christ's Incarnation; his baptism in Jordan river; his death on cross for my salvation; his bursting from the spicèd tomb; his riding up the heavenly way; his coming at the day of doom: I bind unto myself today.

I bind unto myself today the power of God to hold and lead, his eye to watch, his might to stay, his ear to hearken to my need; the wisdom of my God to teach, his hand to guide, his shield to ward; the word of God to give me speech, his heavenly host to be my guard.

Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me. Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself today the strong Name of the Trinity, by invocation of the same, the Three in One, and One in Three. Of whom all nature hath creation, eternal Father, Spirit, Word: praise to the Lord of my salvation, salvation is of Christ the Lord. Amen. #church #hymns #music #SaintPatrick