I bind unto myself today

if you do not hear the tune, click here.

1.
I bind unto myself today 
the strong name of the Trinity, 
by invocation of the same, 
the Three-in-One, and One-in-Three.
                (note: verse ends halfway thru score
                        and returns to beginning for next verse)

2.
I bind this day to me forever 
by power of faith Christ's incarnation, 
his baptism in the Jordan river, 
death on the cross for my salvation, 
his bursting from the spiced tomb, 
his riding up the heavenly way, 
his coming at the day of doom 
I bind unto myself today.

3.
I bind unto myself today 
the virtues of the starlit heaven, 
the glorious sun's life-giving ray, 
the whiteness of the moon at even, 
the flashing of the lightning free, 
the whirling wind's tempestuous shocks, 
the stable earth, the deep salt sea, 
around the old eternal rocks.

4.
I bind unto myself today 
the power of God to hold and lead, 
an eye to watch, the might to stay, 
an ear to harken to my need; 
the wisdom of my God to teach, 
a hand to guide, a shield to ward; 
the word of God to give me speech,
the heavenly host to be my guard.

verse 5 is next hymn in hymnal (#442 - "Christ be with me"),
after which it returns to this hymn for the last verse.

6.
I bind unto myself the name,
the strong name of the Trinity, 
by invocation of the same, 
the Three-in-One, and One-in-Three,
of whom all nature hath creation, 
eternal Maker, Spirit, Word. 
Praise to the God of my salvation; 
salvation is of Christ the Lord!

#441 in Hymnal: A Worship Book

Words:  attributed to St. Patrick, Irish Liber Hymnorum, 1897;
                    tr. Cecil F. Alexander, 1889, Writings of St. Patrick, 1889, alt.
   Tune:  Tradition Irish melody, Collection of Irish Music, 1902
                    harmonization adapted from Charles V. Stanford, 1902


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