Music Meditation — March 17, 2020

St. Patrick’s Feast Day, so we sing “I bind unto myself today,” Hymnal 1982 #370. Attributed to St. Patrick since about 690. It’s a “lorica,” or breastplate prayer, to be chanted while dressing oneself or arming for battle. The legend: Patrick sang this as protection from the pagan Irish king Loegaire mac Neill and the Druid fire-worshipers who were attempting to prevent Patrick and his followers from reaching Tara where they would proclaim the Christian faith. The power of this prayer caused Patrick and company to appear to be a herd of deer, sparing them from attack. The hymn has also been known as “The Deer’s Cry.” The words are most appropriate today. It has two tunes: one at the beginning and end, and one in the middle.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5Hin4swdKg