The Deer’s Cry (Full Version) | Saint Patrick’s Breastplate | Ancient Irish Prayer

The Deer’s Cry, also known as Saint Patrick’s Breastplate, is one of the oldest and most enduring prayers associated with Ireland’s early Christian tradition. Rooted in the ancient Irish Fáed Fiada (“The Cry of the Deer”), the prayer has survived for centuries through monastic manuscripts, oral tradition, translation and adaptation. This cinematic musical version draws inspiration from the celebrated English translation by Kuno Meyer, whose work helped bring early Irish poetry and spiritual writing to a wider audience in the late nineteenth century. Set among ruined stone, sea mist and the quiet atmosphere of Ireland’s ancient landscapes, this adaptation seeks to preserve the reflective and protective spirit of the original prayer while presenting it through a modern cinematic Celtic sound. If this music brought you peace, consider subscribing to support the revival of old Irish prayers, poems, songs and forgotten voices. I arise today Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, Through belief in the threeness, Through confession of the oneness Of the Creator of Creation. I arise today Through the strength of Christ’s birth with His baptism, Through the strength of His crucifixion with His burial, Through the strength of His resurrection with His ascension, Through the strength of His descent for the judgement of Doom. I arise today Through the strength of the love of Cherubim, In obedience of angels, In the service of archangels, In hope of resurrection to meet with reward, In prayers of patriarchs, In predictions of prophets, In preaching of apostles, In faiths of confessors, In innocence of holy virgins, In deeds of righteous men. I arise today Through the strength of heaven: Light of sun, Radiance of moon, Splendour of fire, Speed of lightning, Swiftness of wind, Depth of sea, Stability of earth, Firmness of rock. I arise today Through God’s strength to pilot me: God’s might to uphold me, God’s wisdom to guide me, God’s eye to look before me, God’s ear to hear me, God’s word to speak for me, God’s hand to guard me, God’s way to lie before me, God’s shield to protect me, God’s host to save me From snares of devils, From temptations of vices, From every one who shall wish me ill, Afar and anear, Alone and in a multitude. I summon today all these powers between me and those evils, Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my body and soul, Against incantations of false prophets, Against false laws of pagandom, Against craft of idolatry, Against spells of women and wizards, Against every knowledge that corrupts man’s body and soul. Christ to shield me today Against poison, against burning, Against drowning, against wounding, So that there may come to me abundance of reward. Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, 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 in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of every one who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me. I arise today Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, Through belief in the threeness, Through confession of the oneness Of the Creator of Creation. Traditional Irish prayer associated with Saint Patrick Inspired by the translation work of Kuno Meyer Adapted and arranged by Irish Longing © 2026 Irish Longing All rights reserved.