“Saint Patrick’s” Hymn

The Hymn, or Breastplace

The hymn below is traditionally attributed to Patrick of Ireland, most commonly known as “Saint Patrick.” It appears below as it found in the 1995 Moravian Book of Worship – translated/paraphrased in 1889 by Cecil Frances Humphreys Alexander (ca. 1820-1895). In 1850 she married William Alexander, who later became the Anglican chief bishop for Ireland. She was a prolific writer of poetry, having written over 400 hymns – including “All things bright and beautiful” and “Once in royal David’s city.” She and her husband are buried at the Derry City Cemetery, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. In the Moravian Book of Worship, the hymn translation is presented with a tune called Oakeley, by Herbert Stanley Oakeley.

After transmission, changes, translation, paraphrase, etc., it may be questionable how much of the hymn is actually by Patrick. Most all of you know about “Saint Patrick,” though much of what you know probably is not correct. He was not a Roman Catholic, and there were no snakes in Ireland for him to drive out. He did not drink green beer, but might have used the three-leaf clover to illustrate the Trinity.

1. 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 spiced tomb;
His riding up the heavenly way;
His coming at the day of doom;
I bind unto myself today.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. I bind unto myself the name,
The strong name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same,
The three in one, and one in three.
Of whom all nature has creation,
Eternal Father, Spirit, Word,
Praise to the Lord of my salvation;
Salvation is of Christ the Lord.

Another translation (with annotations) from the Irish, by Whitley Stokes, is found in The Writings of St. Patrick, the Apostle of Ireland (by Charles Henry Hamilton Wright, editor, 1874).