Deus Meus Adiuva Me

This is a hymn of petition to God for help and love. The first and last line of each verse are in Latin, while the middle lines are in Irish (Gaelic).

The words are from a poem attributed to Donegal or Derry monk, Maol Iosa O Brolchain / Maeliosa O Brolchain (d1086). It was included in the Book of Lismore and in the Murphy Manuscript in Maynooth College.

It is set to a tune composed or adapted by Irish language revivalist, teacher, harpist, collector, singer-songwriter and and editor of a series of leaflet titled 'An Choisir Cheoil'Seán Óg Ó Tuama (1912 - 1980?) (source).

Hymn books where it has been published include:

and copies of these books are the only-known of sheet music for the hymn

Downloads

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PowerPoint slides

Examples

Cathedral choir with organ

Solo singer, classical guitar accompaniment

Solo singer, self accompanied on the harp

Lyrics

Deus meus adiuva me
Tabhair dom do shearch,a Mhic ghil Dé
Tabhair dom do shearch,a Mhic ghil Dé
Deus meus adiuva me.

In meum cor, ut sanum sit,
Tabhair, a Rí rán, do ghrá go grip;
Tabhair, a Rí rán, do ghrá go grip,
In meum cor, ut sanum sit.

Domine da quod peto a te,
Tabhair dom go dian a ghrian ghlan ghlé,
Tabhair dom go dian a ghrian ghlan ghlé,
Domine da quod peto a te.

Hanc spero rem et quaero quam,
Do shearc dom sonn, do shearc dom thall;
Do shearc dom sonn, do shearc dom thall,
Hanc spero rem et quaero quam.

Tuum amorem, sicut vis,
Tabhair dom go tréan, a déarfad arís;
Tabhair dom go tréan, a déarfad arís,
Tuum amorem, sicut vis.

Quaero, postulo, peto a te,
Mo bheatha i neamh, a mhic dhil Dé;
Mo bheatha i neamh, a mhic dhil Dé,
Quaero, postulo, peto a te.

Domine, Domine, exaudi me,
M’anam bheith lán de d’ghrá, a Dhé,
M’anam bheith lán de d’ghrá, a Dhé,
Domine, Domine exaudi me.

Rough translation

My God, help me.
Give to me your love,
O son of my God

Into my heart/soul, that it be healthy
Give, O noble king, your love swiftly

Lord, give what I beg of you
Give, give swiftly, O clear bright sun

This thing I hope and which I seek
Your love to me in this world, your love to me in the next world

Give me your love, as fully as you wish.
Give me strongly what I ask of you again.

I search, I desire, I beg of you
My life in heaven, dear son of God
My God, hear me
My soul may (it) be full of love, O God