I recently wrote new lyrics to the old hymn melody “Be Thou My Vision.” It is based on a traditional Irish tune called “Slane.” (Another hymn, “Lord of All Hopefulness,” uses the same melody.) I am often inspired by existing music to compose new lyrics.
This is a recent recording which is fairly true to the melody of the hymn. (I think I have finally got the hang of the Suno AI software that I used to produce it.)
Someone dear to me has called the lyrics “an anthem for our times,” and maybe it is.
Previously, I attempted to use the AI software to produce a version of the hymn, but instead the software used an alternative tune. (Apparently unless explicitly told to use the melody, it changes it to avoid copyright infringements.) See which you like better.
Be now our vision, O Love that makes whole
Light of the world and the fire of the soul
Call us from comfort when truth is denied
Send us in courage to stand on love’s side
Be now our wisdom, our truth in the fray
Leading with kindness and guiding our way
Not only in words, but in all that we do
May our love become action, faithful and true
Be now our courage when justice is hard
Unmasking powers that wealth often guards
Standing with people the world hates and scorns
Trusting in goodness, where new hope is born
Be now our peace when the world is at war
Mending all our hearts from deepest of scars
Teach us all how to forgive and to fight
With only the weapons of love and light
Be now our kingdom, alive here and now
Shown in the way that we live what we vow
Not found in temples of power and fear
But rising whenever love’s light shines near
Heart of our hearts, whatever may fall
Still be our vision, O Love over all
When every neighbor is loved as a friend
Then justice and mercy will never end
© 2026 Kurt Struckmeyer
This music is also available as a YouTube movie here.
