The Deer’s Cry: St. Patrick’s Breastplate

Here are two different video interpretations of a musical setting of “The Deer’s Cry” (St. Patrick’s Breastplate). St. Patrick’s Breastplate is an ancient Celtic Christian prayer.  There are a number of translations of it from the Old Irish, including this one by Cecil Frances Alexander.

The composer of this setting is Shaun Davey of Dublin, Ireland.  The first clip is a music video by the singer Angelina. You can find more of her music at AngelinaSings.com.  The second video is a montage of images along with the lyrics, and the background singer is Rita Connolly.  You can read more about her here.  The audio of this second clip comes from Shaun Davey’s CD “The Pilgrim.”  I like both of these clips.  It is interesting to note the simlarities and differences in visual interpretation, especially when the piece reaches these words:

Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise, Christ to shield me…

What does it mean that Christ is all around and within us?  What implications does that have for us?

 

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