Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart… Dallan Forgaill
This beautiful Hymn has been a favourite of mine since childhood. It’s both prayer and pledge.
Being a bit of a nerd, I LOVE Irish and Welsh history (any history) and science fiction/fantasy novels… Stephen Lawhead and Tolkien being amongst my favourite authors… And this hymn actually originated as an ancient Irish poem, written in the sixth century by Irish Monk and Bard, Dallan Forgaill. Dallan was inspired to write this poem by the stories of St Patrick.
On Easter weekend in early 400AD, the King of Ireland, High King Logaire of Tara, had decreed that no fire or candle was to be lit until he first sparked a light that would ignite a pagan festival. St Patrick, a missionary to Ireland and her people, despite the death threats he was receiving, defied the King and lit fires on Easter Eve to honour God, and declare that He [God] was the one true light. The King was so impressed and taken back by St Patricks boldness and devotion to God, that he allowed him to continue his missionary work unhindered.
Dallan, a reformist himself, the head professor at a monastery on the coast of Ireland where he taught Bards to honour God with their skills and talents. (All my SciFi/Fantasy/History friends know all about Bards…). The monastery was invaded by pirates and when Dallan would not bow and worship them and their gods, he was beheaded in front of his school and students. Legend has it, that after a few hours, in front of all, God himself reached down and with honour reattached Dallans head to his body.
I love a good story…
In any case, this hymn has seen many years, centuries, wars, times of peace, friendships, Kings and Queens, marriages, Presidents, Prime Ministers, changing times, stubborn times… And throughout all the ages, and languages and translations, its one message has stayed the same – “Be thou my vision, Oh Lord of my heart.”
See God in all things. He is at the heart of life… is the heart of life. And when your vision, soul and sight, is set on him, you can walk through life with a humble boldness and confidence that no matter what happens, God is light and love and His Kingdom of hope will continue to shine through you and your legacy.
“Great heart of my own heart, whatever befall, Still be thou my vision, O Ruler of all”.
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