God be in my Head (the Sarum Prayer)

This is a short hymn of petition for God's presence.

The author is unknown.  The first known publication was in the 1558 Sarum Primer, which was a collection of prayers and worship resources developed in Salisbury, England, during the 13th century. 

The text has only one verse, with irregular meter.  It was originally set to the tune LYTLINGTON by English organist and composer Sydney H. Nicholson (1875-1947) - many other arrangements and choral settings have been made.

Downloads

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Sheet music: acappella arrangement for SATB choir by Herbert Howells

PowerPoint
slides

Examples

Choir, unaccompanied, Wilford Davies arrangement

Choral arrangement

Singer with piano, words on- screen

Instrumental - piano

Lyrics

God be in my head, and in my understanding;
God be in mine eyes, and in my looking;
God be in my mouth, and in my speaking;
God be in my heart, and in my thinking;
God be at mine end, and at my departing.

See more ...

• Hymns of petition
• Public domain hymns