Song of St Patrick (Christ be Ever Before Us) - Haugen

This is a hymn about Saint Patrick, based on St. Patrick's Breastplate.

It was written by American Lutheran composer and pastoral musician, Marty Haugen (b 1950).

The song was originally published in 1986 by (the predecessor to) GIA Publications, in the Song of God Among Us (ref). It was later included in How Can I Keep from Singing, and Anthology II, and sheet music is still available today (links below).

It is set to an unnamed tune, also by Haugen. This has a 2/2 time signature. In the key of Dm, the first few notes are D F A_ A G A_ with accompanying chords Dm / C / F.

Downloads

Arranged for 2-part equal voices, assembly, keyboard accompaniment, with guitar chords. Pages 8

Examples

Small choir with fiddle, guitar and keyboard:

Duet with guitar and flute:

Singer with organ:

Small group with band, professional recording:

Instrumental - piano, with words on-screen:

Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website. A rough outline is:

Chorus:
May the Spirit of Christ be our hope through the day,
be our guard through the night, our companion on the way.

1 Christ be ever before us, Christ be ever behind us, Christ be ever within.

2 Christ upon our left hand watching ...

3 Christ be in each holy silence ...

4 Let us be God’s light in the darkness ...

5 God Creator, bless and keep us ...