St. Patrick’s Breastplate / Lorica

A charm of protection adapted from an Old Irish prayer attributed to St Patrick.

as sung by Danica Boyce, arr. by Francis Cimarron

“This prayer is said to have protected Patrick and his fellow travelers from ambush by making them appear to be a herd of wild deer. This style of incantation is pre-Christian in origin and called a lorica, which is Latin for breastplate. The idea is that by saying or singing the prayer one armours oneself with the powers of nature and divinity for protection from harm.

Here I’ve replaced the word Christ in the English translation of the prayer with Love to make it more broadly accessible. You can find the full song elsewhere as St. Patrick’s Breastplate.” - Danica

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LYRICS:

Melody (Mid) / High (enter at v.2):

Love be with me
Love within me
Love behind me
Love before me 

Love beside me
Love to win me 
Love to comfort 
and restore me

Love beneath me
Love above me
Love in quiet
Love in danger

Love in hearts of
all that love me
Love in mouth of
friend and stranger

Low (enter at v. 2):

Love be with me___
Love within me___

Love beside me___
Love to win me___ 

Love beneath me___
Love above me___

Love in hearts of___
all that love me___

(round)
Low1
Low2:
Love be with me___
Love within me___
Love behind me___
Love before me___ 

Love beside me___
Love to win me___ 
Love to comfort___ 
and restore me___

Love beneath me___
Love above me___
Love in quiet___
Love in danger___

Love in hearts of___
all that love me___
Love in mouth of___
friend and stranger___

All:

Love in hearts of
all that love me
Love in mouth of
friend and stranger

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