The Deer’s Cry – Another Beautiful Celtic Prayer

by Christine Sine

In response to the prayer of Columba that I posted last week, Carol Stoner sent me this beautiful rendition of another well known Celtic prayer called The Deer’s Cry. This is a part of Patrick’s Breastplate which Irish composer Shaun Davey put to some wonderful music in his CD “The Pilgrim”. It was just what I needed this morning. Enjoy.

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of sun,
Radiance of moon,
Splendour 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 to 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 temptation of vices,
From every one who shall wish me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone and in a 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 women and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man’s body and soul.

Christ to shield me today,
Against poising, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So there 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 every one who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye of every one who sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

I arise today

 

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4 comments

Jo February 6, 2012 - 11:56 am

this is very beautiful – thanks for passing it on.

Kathleen Nyhuis February 6, 2012 - 2:43 pm

So very lovely. Thank you.

sonja February 8, 2012 - 5:22 am

Gorgeous … thank you, Christine.

Miriam Beattie March 17, 2012 - 7:23 am

Absolutely beautiful with powerful words. Thank you.
Miriam

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