Rise Up Singing Project

I'm posting a song a day from the Rise Up Singing songbook, which you may or may not know. It's a pretty invaluable resource for song leaders, and useful for anyone who likes to sing in groups. The book doesn't include the melodies to the songs, just the lyrics and some chords, so I’m trying hard to find the tunes I don’t know, learn them, and post them on YouTube for anyone to learn. That’s where these videos are hosted; the blog is just pretty packaging.

Monday, September 7, 2009

Be Thou My Vision

Natasha, opening: "This is dedicated to my sister, Tina. Page 40, be thou my vision."

Words, ancient Irish, translated by Mary E. Byrne (1880-1931); versified by Eleanor Hull (1860-1935); melody, traditional Irish ("Slane")
Rise Up Singing chapter: Faith, p.40
D GA - Bm - A D / A EmD - GD - A
G GD - D G - A / D GD - G D

I found the chord rhythm a little hard to catch on this one. Natasha had just taught it to me, so I'm really just trying to follow her. I recommend that's what you try to do too, I guess.

Lyrics (partial):
Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me save that thou art
Thou my best thought, by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, they presence my light

Be Thou my wisdom and Thou my true word
I ever with thee and Thou with me, Lord
Thou my great Father, I thy true son
High King of heaven, my victory won

(There are 2 more verses I'll type out later)