Do you have a favorite hymn? Linnet’s Nest asked this question, and shared hers. Thank you, Linnet, that was beautiful. I think Linnet should do a podcast sometime so we can all hear the lovely British accent that I know she has.
My favorite hymn is Be Thou My Vision. I love the gentleness of the song, woven throughout with a call for God’s constant presence and guiding hand in our lives. This is a traditional Irish hymn, and hands down the best recording I’ve ever heard is performed by Van Morrison. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find this on YouTube, so I’ve presented here Fernando Oretega’s version. While it is still moving, the man is clearly not Irish, as Van Morrison is, and somehow I just like to hear an Irish man sing a traditional Irish song. You can find Van Morrison’s Be Thou My Vision on his CD Hymns to the Silence. When we homechurch, we always play Van’s version and sing with him - my kids love it, we love it, and I’ll bet you would be moved.
But here is Fernando Ortega with Be Thou My Vision:
This is one of our favorites as well. My kids’ favorite is “Nothing but the Blood of Jesus” because I let them do in a question answer format which is kind of fun in a creepy sort of way.
Jen April 16th, 2008 at 9:18 am
Heather, I don’t find that creepy at all. Very cool; I would venture that this method really helps your kids understand the power of the cross.
Be Thou My Vision is certainly a favorite of mine too. I’m so glad I grew up in a church where I was exposed to greats like this. My husband has struggled to learn the hymns as an adult. (He’s “musically challenged” and wonders how he’ll ever learn them all!)
My Dad sings Be Thou My Vision wish you could hear him. I love that song too. But my favorite hymn hands down is Sweet Hour of Prayer. My favorite line: Believe his word; trust his grace. Oh if I could do that all along each minute of the day, my life would be easier.
I recently saw a young guy singing Be Thou My Vision on youtube and it was fantastic. I’ll get you the link so you can see it.
hmmm, I have lots of favorite hymns. I will have to come back after I think about it.
Jen April 16th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
e-Mom, my husband is in the same boat; he didn’t grow up with the hymns, but loves them now.
Tipper, I would LOVE to hear “Pap” sing this song!! If you can get him to sing it and post it at your site, I would be in heaven. :-) I also love “Sweet Hour of Prayer.”
Jane, well, I like your taste in music, so I look forward to hearing about your favorite hymn.
That was beautiful! I honestly don’t think I’ve ever heard that before. I’d sure love to hear the Van Morrison version! I’ll have to think about the favorite hymn….
I love this hymn too. Learned it at school as a boy.
Love the breadth of its vision. Love its strong and resolute spirit. As a male I appreciate that. And there is a sense of theological depth to it.
I certainly pick up the notes of ancient Celtic spirituality in its breadth of vision. I understand that Mary Byrne and Eleanor Hull’s inspiration for it was drawn from the Breatplate Prayer of St Patrick. It’s a pretty free interpretation if it is. But I love them both.
I have a book coming out in November with Continuum Press (UK) and Paulist Press (USA) in the spring that’s based on another - less famous Breastplate Prayer - this one from the 600s AD. It’s called
“Be Thou my Breastplate
40 days of giving your life to God the Celtic way”
and it’s based on the prayer known as the Breastplate Prayer of St Fursa.
“Be Thou my Breastplate” draws on his prayer with inspiration for people who are hungry for a more whole-life spirituality (as distinct from church-centred spirituality) and intrigued by wisdom from an ancient Celtic pioneer whose ecclesiological work and wisdom pre-dates many of the church structures we’ve all grown up with.
Love those Celts and their embracing of a whole life
- waking and sleeping - Christ of mine own heart.
12 Responses
This is one of our favorites as well. My kids’ favorite is “Nothing but the Blood of Jesus” because I let them do in a question answer format which is kind of fun in a creepy sort of way.
Heather, I don’t find that creepy at all. Very cool; I would venture that this method really helps your kids understand the power of the cross.
Be Thou My Vision is certainly a favorite of mine too. I’m so glad I grew up in a church where I was exposed to greats like this. My husband has struggled to learn the hymns as an adult. (He’s “musically challenged” and wonders how he’ll ever learn them all!)
My Dad sings Be Thou My Vision wish you could hear him. I love that song too. But my favorite hymn hands down is Sweet Hour of Prayer. My favorite line: Believe his word; trust his grace. Oh if I could do that all along each minute of the day, my life would be easier.
I recently saw a young guy singing Be Thou My Vision on youtube and it was fantastic. I’ll get you the link so you can see it.
hmmm, I have lots of favorite hymns. I will have to come back after I think about it.
e-Mom, my husband is in the same boat; he didn’t grow up with the hymns, but loves them now.
Tipper, I would LOVE to hear “Pap” sing this song!! If you can get him to sing it and post it at your site, I would be in heaven. :-) I also love “Sweet Hour of Prayer.”
Jane, well, I like your taste in music, so I look forward to hearing about your favorite hymn.
I like that one too. I dont really have a favorite. if its a hymn I like it!
That was beautiful! I honestly don’t think I’ve ever heard that before. I’d sure love to hear the Van Morrison version! I’ll have to think about the favorite hymn….
Be Thou My Vision has long been a comfort song for me. I love and am consistently moved by Blessed Assurance and His Eye Is On The Sparrow.
“O what a foretaste of glory divine…”
and
“I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free. His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.”
Picking a favorite hymn is liking picking a favorite jelly bean! Just a lot more spiritual…
My hubby loves this hymn, he loves a more rocky version I’m not sure who it’s by. This version is lovely too.
Mrs. Darling, I hear ya!
SmallWorld, I almost didn’t post this because I was distraught over not being able to present the Van Morrison version - it’s so much more…alive.
Heidi, That’s a great way to put it - “a comfort song.” And the jelly bean picking - perfect!
Linnet, maybe it’s Van Morrison! :-) Let me know if you find out.
I love this hymn too. Learned it at school as a boy.
Love the breadth of its vision. Love its strong and resolute spirit. As a male I appreciate that. And there is a sense of theological depth to it.
I certainly pick up the notes of ancient Celtic spirituality in its breadth of vision. I understand that Mary Byrne and Eleanor Hull’s inspiration for it was drawn from the Breatplate Prayer of St Patrick. It’s a pretty free interpretation if it is. But I love them both.
I have a book coming out in November with Continuum Press (UK) and Paulist Press (USA) in the spring that’s based on another - less famous Breastplate Prayer - this one from the 600s AD. It’s called
“Be Thou my Breastplate
40 days of giving your life to God the Celtic way”
and it’s based on the prayer known as the Breastplate Prayer of St Fursa.
“Be Thou my Breastplate” draws on his prayer with inspiration for people who are hungry for a more whole-life spirituality (as distinct from church-centred spirituality) and intrigued by wisdom from an ancient Celtic pioneer whose ecclesiological work and wisdom pre-dates many of the church structures we’ve all grown up with.
Love those Celts and their embracing of a whole life
- waking and sleeping - Christ of mine own heart.
Wonderful!
Paul Wallis
Blessings,
Paul W
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