The hymn,"I Bind Unto Myself Today," is commonly known as "St. Patrick's "Breastplate" prayer. It is part of a collection of hymns found in two manuscripts kept in Dublin and published in 1903.
The document gives this account of how Saint Patrick used this prayer. This prayer dates from the 5th century—the time of Saint Patrick and outlines Saint Patrick's "spirituality and his keen awareness and perception of the battle between good and evil."
"Saint Patrick sang this when an ambush was laid against his coming by Loegaire, that he might not go to Tara to sow the faith. And then it appeared before those lying in ambush that they, Saint Patrick and his monks, were wild deer with a fawn following them."
Listen as the Down Cathedral choir sings, "I Bind Unto Myself Today." Read the hymn below.
The Down Cathedral is a Church of Ireland that stands on the site of a Benedictine Monastery, built in 1183. Saint Patrick's remains are buried in the graveyard. Magnificent stain glass windows, box pews and beautiful organ case enhances this interesting building.
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