#6 I Bind Unto Myself Today (Tune: ST. PATRICK'S BREASTPLATE)

On this day honoring St. Patrick  (c. 386 -469), we look at one of the earliest hymns in Christianity "I Bind Unto Myself Today", #6 in The Christian Life Hymnal. Based on text by St. Patrick, the words were adapted by Cecil Frances Humphreys Alexander in 1889. The Christian Life Hymnal contains 4 other hymn texts by Alexander, (the Christmas carol "Once in Royal David's City," "All Things Bright and Beautiful," "There Is a Green Hill Far Away," and "Jesus Calls Us").

"I Bind Unto Myself Today" is one of the most powerful and compelling Trinitarian hymns I've ever sung. While not easy for a congregation to learn, it is well worth the effort, and once they learn it, it will become a favorite. It is also a strong statement on baptism, and a hymn I often use on Sunday's we have baptisms at my church. The music was adapted from two different traditional Irish melodies (ST PATRICK'S BREASTPLATE and DEIRDRE) by Irish-born composer Charles Villiers Stanford in 1904. It works well with organ, as well as acoustic instruments, due to its folk tune roots. I have used it at the end of Communion starting with guitar and voices, adding keys, bass and percussion in the ensuing verses, singing " Christ Above Me" a cappella, and then for the final stanza bringing the organ in with all the acoustic instruments to bring it to a majestic conclusion.

Here are several YouTube links of performances:
I Bind Unto Myself Today: Organ Solo
I Bind Unto Myself Today: Congregation & Organ
I Bind Unto Myself Today: Woodmont Consort, arr. Don Hart

A spoken version of the prayer (translated into English)
St. Patrick's Breastplate: Spoken

For more information on St. Patrick, Christian History is a good source:
Christian History: The Real St. Patrick

Another source: St. Patrick's Life, Prayers, and Legacy with Celtic Prayers

Patrick's Confession: The Confession of St. Patrick

May you have a blessed St. Patrick's Day.