Saint Patrick's Breastplate
Encyclopedia
Saint Patrick's Breastplate is a Christian
hymn
whose original Old Irish lyrics were traditionally attributed to Saint Patrick
during his Irish
ministry in the 5th century; however, it was probably actually written later, in the 8th century. It is written in the style of a druid
ic incantation for protection on a journey. It is part of the Liber Hymnorum, a collection of hymns found in two manuscripts kept in Dublin.
The words were translated into English verse by Cecil Frances Alexander in 1889 and set to two traditional Irish tunes, St. Patrick and Deirdre. The hymn, also known by its opening line "I bind unto myself today", is currently included in the English Hymnal
, the Irish Church Hymnal
and The Hymnal (1982)
of the U.S. Episcopal Church. It is often sung during the celebration of the Feast of Saint Patrick on or near March 17, as well as on Trinity Sunday
. In many churches it is unique among standard hymns because the variations in length and metre of verses mean that at least three different tunes must be used - different in the melody sung by the congregation.
The prayer known as "Faeth Fiada", or the "Lorica
of St. Patrick" (St. Patrick's Breast-Plate) was first edited by Petrie in his "History of Tara".
Scripture references may include ("God's shield to protect me ... from snares of devils").
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
hymn
Hymn
A hymn is a type of song, usually religious, specifically written for the purpose of praise, adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification...
whose original Old Irish lyrics were traditionally attributed to Saint Patrick
Saint Patrick
Saint Patrick was a Romano-Briton and Christian missionary, who is the most generally recognized patron saint of Ireland or the Apostle of Ireland, although Brigid of Kildare and Colmcille are also formally patron saints....
during his Irish
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
ministry in the 5th century; however, it was probably actually written later, in the 8th century. It is written in the style of a druid
Druid
A druid was a member of the priestly class in Britain, Ireland, and Gaul, and possibly other parts of Celtic western Europe, during the Iron Age....
ic incantation for protection on a journey. It is part of the Liber Hymnorum, a collection of hymns found in two manuscripts kept in Dublin.
The words were translated into English verse by Cecil Frances Alexander in 1889 and set to two traditional Irish tunes, St. Patrick and Deirdre. The hymn, also known by its opening line "I bind unto myself today", is currently included in the English Hymnal
English Hymnal
The English Hymnal was published in 1906 for the Church of England under the editorship of Percy Dearmer and Ralph Vaughan Williams. The preface to the hymnal began with the statement, "A collection of the best hymns in the English language." Much of the contents was used for the first time at St...
, the Irish Church Hymnal
Church of Ireland
The Church of Ireland is an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion. The church operates in all parts of Ireland and is the second largest religious body on the island after the Roman Catholic Church...
and The Hymnal (1982)
The Hymnal 1982
The Hymnal 1982 is the hymnal of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America. It is one in a series of 7 official hymnals of the Episcopal Church, including The Hymnal 1940...
of the U.S. Episcopal Church. It is often sung during the celebration of the Feast of Saint Patrick on or near March 17, as well as on Trinity Sunday
Trinity Sunday
Trinity Sunday is the first Sunday after Pentecost in the Western Christian liturgical calendar, and the Sunday of Pentecost in Eastern Christianity...
. In many churches it is unique among standard hymns because the variations in length and metre of verses mean that at least three different tunes must be used - different in the melody sung by the congregation.
The prayer known as "Faeth Fiada", or the "Lorica
Lorica (incantation)
In the Christian monastic tradition, a lorica is a prayer recited for protection. The Latin word lorica originally meant "armor" or "breastplate." Both meanings come together in the practice of placing verbal inscriptions on the shields or armorial trappings of knights, who might recite them before...
of St. Patrick" (St. Patrick's Breast-Plate) was first edited by Petrie in his "History of Tara".
Scripture references may include ("God's shield to protect me ... from snares of devils").
Lyrics
- I arise today
- Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
- Through the belief in the threeness,
- Through confession of the oneness
- Of the Creator of Creation.
- I arise today
- Through the strength of Christ's birth with his baptism,
- Through the strength of his crucifixion with his burial,
- Through the strength of his resurrection with his ascension,
- Through the strength of his descent for the judgment of Doom.
- I arise today
- Through the strength of the love of Cherubim,
- In obedience of angels,
- In the service of archangels,
- In hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
- In prayers of patriarchs,
- In predictions of prophets,
- In preaching of apostles,
- In faith of confessors,
- In innocence of holy virgins,
- In deeds of righteous men.
- I arise today
- Through the strength of heaven:
- Light of sun,
- Radiance of moon,
- Splendor of fire,
- Speed of lightning,
- Swiftness of wind,
- Depth of sea,
- Stability of earth,
- Firmness of rock.
- I arise today
- Through God's strength to pilot me:
- God's might to uphold me,
- God's wisdom to guide me,
- God's eye to look before me,
- God's ear to hear me,
- God's word to speak for me,
- God's hand to guard me,
- God's way to lie before me,
- God's shield to protect me,
- God's host to save me
- From snares of devils,
- From temptations of vices,
- From everyone who shall wish me ill,
- Afar and anear,
- Alone and in multitude.
- I summon today all these powers between me and those evils,
- Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my body and soul,
- Against incantations of false prophets,
- Against black laws of pagandom
- Against false laws of heretics,
- Against craft of idolatry,
- Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
- Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul.
- Christ to shield me today
- Against poison, against burning,
- Against drowning, against wounding,
- So that there may come to me abundance of reward.
- Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
- Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
- Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
- Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,
- Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
- Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
- Christ in every eye that sees me,
- Christ in every ear that hears me.
- I arise today
- Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
- Through belief in the threeness,
- Through confession of the oneness,
- Of the Creator of Creation.