St Patrick’s Shield
G
I arise today
D
With a mighty strength
A
In the power of the Trinity
D
Three in one guiding me
G
With the speed of light
Bm
And the depth of the sea
A
God’s strength this day
D
Come and rescue me
Refrain:
D
Be beside me Lord
A
Be with me Lord
G
Be in me Lord
D A
be around Lord
D
Be below me Lord
A
Be above me Lord
G D
Be on my left and be on my right
I arise today with a mighty strength,
I’m free of the fear of the world,
By the power of your resurrection,
With a holy host,
And a tongue of flame,
Protect my life so I can praise your name
© Rónán Johnston/David Clare Emmausongs/IMRO 2008/2009
This is a rewriting of the ancient shield, breastplate, or Lorica (to use the Roman
word!) of Patrick
the great patron of Ireland. The foreigner who brought the Gospel of Jesus.
And reading the ancient texts from which myself and David took these lyrics,
it becomes very clear just how aware Patrick was of the deadly spiritual battle he was
caught up in.
Sometimes his soul, sometimes his spirit, and sometimes his body. But Patrick never took
the battle for granted.
This is a lesson I feel we must learn for today. If we remain half asleep in our
spiritual lives,
we’ll never know how under attack we are; our hearts, our well being, our health and
our faith.
If Patrick reminds us of one thing, it’s that this is not a joke, and we have a real enemy!
We pray these words every day. ( - Rónán Johnston)
