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


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



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 ...


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KEEP IN CASE ORIGINAL IS REMOVED, BUT DO NOT DISPLAY
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,
At our right hand guiding,
Christ above, beneath us guarding,
Near to us abiding.

3 Christ be in each holy silence,
Christ be in our speaking,
Christ in every work we offer,
Ever in our seeking.

4 Let us be God’s light in the darkness,
Let us be God’s kindness;
Let us be God’s justice and mercy,
Hands and feet of Christ.

5 God Creator, bless and keep us,
Christ, be ever near us;
Spirit be the light before us,
Gentle be our pathway.

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