Emily Farrell
Dr. Gerald Nachtwey
English 101
11 September 2018
Music Memoir
James D. Smith III created a well-known Irish hymn called “Be Thou My Vision.” This
hymn was originally written in Gaelic and then translated into English by Mary E. Byrne and
later made into traditional verses by Eleanor H. Hull. This hymn was one of many that I learned
as a kid in church choirs and then performed for my grandmother at Christmas. “Be Thou My
Vision” has been part of my life for years and it reminds me of the joy and riches that await me
in heaven through the memory of my grandmother.
It is sad to think about “Be Thou My Vision.” It brings tears to my eyes when I hear it or
sing it because it was my grandmas favorite song. Growing up in a cradle Catholic family and
attending Mass at a traditionally Irish Catholic church we would sing this hymn quite often. In
2011 she passed away. I was left heart broken and angry. I turned to this hymn to comfort
myself. This is the verse I turned to: “Be thou my Wisdom, and thou my true Word, I ever with
thee and thou with me Lord /Thou my great Father, I thy true son/ Thou in me dwelling and I
with thee one” (Smith). I chose this verse specifically because I was angry with myself and upset
that my best friend was gone. This verse helped remind me that I need to let God handle it all
and that there was nothing could on my own. I have found that this song has also been a way for
me to remember my grandma. When I listen to this song I am not only praising God, I am
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receiving a memory of my grandma. I remember like it was yesterday when we had her funeral
and one of the songs picked was “Be Thou My Vision.” In the same way it helped me to
remember all the wonderful memories I had of her.
One of her favorite verses was the fourth verse “Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty
praise;/ Thou mine inheritance, now and always;/ be Thou and Thou only the first in my heart/ O
high King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art” (Smith). This verse reminds me of her humble
nature and love of service to others. She never required the thanks and gratitude of other people
to be happy. She a had a heart for service. She did her best to make our community a better place
to live in. She volunteered with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and various other
organizations. This song seemed to be one of her strongholds and one of her motivations for
