Music Monday: A Salute to St. Patrick’s Day with “Be Thou My Vision” and “When Irish Eyes are Smiling”

The Irish High Holyday is finally here and I am multiplying the celebration with both the Wearing of the Green as well as my Irish birthday. As you can see, I was named for the saint of the day.
For this week’s Music Monday, I am sharing two great Irish tunes.
“Be Thou My Vision” is one of the most famous of the traditional Irish hymns. The original Irish text is usually attributed to Dallán Forgaill, with the prayerful text translated into English by Mary Elizabeth Byrne in 1905. Seven years later in 1912, Eleanor Hull put the text into verses. 
May this beautiful, prayerful hymn be a great start to the Irish feast day for you.

Perhaps the most important part of St. Patrick’s Day is the beautiful music.
Enjoy an all-time favorite with those smiling Irish Eyes!!

Prayer for St. Patrick’s Day:
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 unto myself today
The power of God to hold and lead.
His eye to watch. His might to stay,
His need to harken 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.
Amen.
-From the Breastplate of St. Patrick
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!

Catholic Review

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