Chords with lyrics
St Patrick?s Shield
G+G
I arise today
D MajorD
With a mighty strength
A augmentedA
In the power of the Trinity
D MajorD
Three in one guiding me
G+G
With the speed of light
B minorBm
And the depth of the sea
A augmentedA
God?s strength this day
D MajorD
Come and rescue me
Refrain:
D MajorD
Be beside me Lord
A augmentedA
Be with me Lord
G+G
Be in me Lord
D MajorD A augmentedA
be around Lord
D MajorD
Be below me Lord
A augmentedA
Be above me Lord
G+G D MajorD
Be on my left and be on my right
I arise today with a mighty strength,
I?m free of the fear of the world,
By the power of your resurrection,
With a holy host,
And a tongue of flame,
Protect my life so I can praise your name
© Rónán Johnston/David Clare Emmausongs/IMRO 2008/2009
This is a rewriting of the ancient shield, breastplate, or Lorica (to use the Roman
word!) of Patrick
the great patron of Ireland. The foreigner who brought the Gospel of Jesus.
And reading the ancient texts from which myself and David took these lyrics,
it becomes very clear just how aware Patrick was of the deadly spiritual battle he was
caught up in.
Sometimes his soul, sometimes his spirit, and sometimes his body. But Patrick never took
the battle for granted.
This is a lesson I feel we must learn for today. If we remain half asleep in our
spiritual lives,
we?ll never know how under attack we are; our hearts, our well being, our health and
our faith.
If Patrick reminds us of one thing, it?s that this is not a joke, and we have a real enemy!
We pray these words every day. (- Rónán Johnston)
