Consecration (How Great the Tale)

This hymn of petition is based on an ancient Irish-language work by Murdoch O'Daly, called Murdoch "the Scotchman" (Muredach Albanach), who was born in Connacht towards the end of the twelfth century.

The translation to English, made by Gaelic scholar and writer, El­ea­nor H. Hull (1860-1935), was included in The Poem-Book of the Gael - Translations from Irish Gaelic Poetry into English Prose and Verse.  This book was published in 1913 by Chatto and Windus London, UK, and was edited by Hull. (ref)

The hymn is published in the Church of Ireland's Church Hymnal, 1919, 1960 and 2000 editions (at least).

The text has Long Meter (LM):

• A tune called MUNSTER was suggested in the Divine Office (1974) -although no details about it have been found (possibly it is in the Church Hymnal), or alternatively OLD HUNDREDTH (ref).
• In the Pius X hymnal, published by McLaughlin & Reilly Co., Boston, USA in 1953, it was set to a tune attributed to Corner, 1631.

Downloads

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Sheet music (Pius X hymnal)

PowerPoint slides

Examples

Choir with organ, recorded at a televised evensong service:

Solo singer with drum accompaniment:

Lyrics

How great the tale, that there should be,
In God's Son's heart, a place for me!
That on a sinner's lips like mine,
The cross of Jesus Christ should shine!

Christ Jesus, bend me to Thy will,
My feet to urge, my griefs to still;
That even my flesh and blood may be
A temple sanctified to Thee.

No rest, no calm, my soul may win,
Because my body craves to sin,
Till Thou, dear Lord, Thyself impart
Peace to my head, light to my heart.

May consecration come from far,
Soft shining like the evening star!
My toilsome path make plain to me,
Until I come to rest in Thee.

See more ...

• Hymns of petition
• Irish hymns