Robert Morehead

Musical Musings~ Reflections on Sunday’s Music
November 17, 2013
 

5. Hymn History: Be Thou My Vision (Slane)

The text for this hymn is derived from an ancient Irish poem, “Rob tu mo bhoile, a Comdi cride” dating from around A.D. 700.  Mary Elizabeth Byrne first translated this text and included it in the journal Erin  in 1905. Mary Bryne was also the coauthor of the Old and Mid-Irish Dictionary.  Eleanor Hull versified it several years later.
At the time of A.D. 700, the Irish church was missional in outreach and with much fervor. At times ,some thought that the missional outreach “absorbed all national thought and passion.” So, I find it no coincidence that this beautiful Irish text arose at this time. 
Bryne’s text was matched with an Irish ballad tune named for Slane, a hill near Tara, Ireland.  There is a wonderful connection for this tune with our theme for Sunday which is “Stewardship of the Heart.”  The text speaks of yearning for the presence and leadership of God in our lives.  It is these tender phrases that follow that I believe can begin to awaken our focus to Stewardship of the Heart:

• Lord of my heart
• Thy presence my light
• Bright heaven’s Sun
• Heart of my heart

Kenneth W. Osbeck has found the best way to summarize this hymn: “The text states that when we allow God to have first place in our lives, He becomes our treasure, we care no more for the pursuit of riches or ‘man’s empty praise.’”
                                                                                    ‘til Sunday-Robert Morehead
 
Other music selections:
 
Gathering Music: 
Come, Holy Spirit, Come-David L. Ward
Take My Life-Giglio/Tomlin
Introit: Westminster Chimes-Exceptional Friends    
Act Of Praise:  “Quoniam Tu Solus Sanctus” from Gloria- Vivaldi
Special Music: Now Thank We All Our God (NUN DANKET)
Hymn of Response:  God Whose Giving Knows No Ending
Instrumental Offering:  “Adagio” from Sonata No. 3 in C Major (BWV 1005)-
J.S. Bach
Hymn of Dedication:  Lord Of All Good (#375)
Postlude:  Concertino For Trumpet And Strings – Handel/Arr. R. Morehead
                        Finale
Sunday’s musicians:
1 Exceptional Friends
2 Anat Kardontchik
3 Tanya Marshall
4 Revolution Team
5 Sanctuary Choir
6 Michael Wallace