Be Thou My Vision | Story Behind the Song

What do you give a really special friend that has everything for a milestone birthday? In short, a beautiful and classical rendition of her favorite, timeless Hymn,  Be Thou My Vision featuring her lovely and talented daughter as the Soloist.

History of Be Thou My Vision

To began, according to Irish tradition, around 433 AD, King Logaire of Tara (Ireland) decreed that no one was allowed to light any fires until a pagan festival began with the lighting of a fire on Slane Hill.  However, St. Patrick, a missionary in the area defied the king by lighting candles on the eve of Resurrection Day. Consequently, King Logaire was so impressed with St. Patrick’s devotion he left him alone and permitted him to continue his work as Ireland’s first Christian missionary (source: Perkins School of Theology).

Meanwhile, fast forward to a Monk named “Dallán Forgaill,”(530-598 AD) later Canonized, who wrote the Irish poem, “Rop tú mo Baile” (“Be Thou My Vision”). He wrote the poem in memory of and to honor St. Patrick’s devotion and contributions to the Irish. The poem is a prayer for protection based on Ephesians 6: 16-17.

Modern History of Be Thou My Vision

Since the original poem is from from “Slane,” it is common to title old hymns with the name of the place where they originated.  Hence the song is sometimes called by the name “Slane,” and you are likely to see that in a hymnal. Furthermore, “Be Thou My Vision,” today is reported to be one of the most popular Hymns in England.

In Summary, here is a brief timeline of how the Hymn became what is is today.

• • 1905 – “Mary Elizabeth Byrne” translates the Old Irish poem, into English as “Be Thou My Vision.“
  • 1909 – The Old Irish Folk song “With My Love on the Road,” which later becomes the melody, is published in “Old Irish Folk Music and Songs,” by “P. W. Joyce,” the original author is unknown.
  • 1912 – “Eleanor Hull” (1860-1935) rearranges the text into verses and publishes this in her “Poem Book of the Gael” compilation.
  • 1919 – The words and tune are first combined and harmonized by “Leopold L Dix” (1861-1935).
  • 1927 – “David Evans” creates a new version; and Erik Routley introduces it to the English Hymnal.

Be Thou My Vision Original Old Irish Gaelic Test

Oldest Surviving Manuscript of “Rop tú mo Baile,” Royal Irish Academy 23 N 10 (16th century), pp. 95

Listen to it here “Rop tú mo Baile.” Can you sing along in Old Irish Gaelic?

Watch LeBaker Musics Renditions of Be Thou My Vision on YouTube

Photo Credits : James and Judith Baker taken in ID, KS, MO, MT, ND, OR, SD, WA, and WV in 2021.

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