With St. Patrick's Day coming up on March 17, it is timely to consider some great St. Patrick's Day songs. All three of the songs listed are either faith-based or with ties to the Christian music community. My number one song for St. Patrick's Day, "St. Patrick's Breastplate," is said to have been written by Saint Patrick himself, my number two song, "Be Thou My Vision," has strong ties to Saint Patrick, and my number three song, "Encircling," is also based upon St. Patrick's Breastplate.
1. "St. Patrick's Breastplate"
Growing up in the Episcopal church in Virginia and the Methodist church in Nashville as a child, I learned to love the great hymn "St. Patrick's Breastplate" at an early age. The song is closely based on "The Shield of Saint Patrick" or "The Prayer of Saint Patrick" which is said to have been written by Saint Patrick during his Irish ministry in the 5th century. What more fitting song for St. Patrick's Day?
2. "Be Thou My Vision"
Written in the 6th century, the traditional hymn "Be Thou My Vision" is attributed to the early Christian Irish poet Dallán Forgaill. The melody is from the old Irish folk song, "Slane." According to Wikipedia, "Slane" is about Slane Hill "where in A.D. 433 St. Patrick defied the pagan High King Lóegaire of Tara by lighting candles on Easter Eve."
3. "Encircling"
From the Iona album "Journey Into The Morn," "Encircling" is which is Iona's version of St. Patrick's Breastplate with subtle variations to the lyrics and a completely different melody. See the "Encircling" video here.
More fun St. Patrick's Day songs at: Seven Lucky Songs for St. Patrick's Day.
Related:
- Who Was the Man Known as St. Patrick?
- Strange and Weird Facts About Ireland for St. Patrick's Day
- Irish Quotes for St. Patrick's Day
- St. Patrick Acrostic - a Poem for Saint Patrick's Day
- Saint Patrick the Shepherd - a Poem
- Ireland Acrostic: An Acrostic Poem About the Emerald Isle
Also See:
Comments