An Irish Hymn

The month of March makes me think about Ireland and Irish things, including Irish hymns. 

During the month of March, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in the United States which is why I tend to think more about Ireland and Irish things. 

Although he was not Irish, St. Patrick was a very Godly man who became a missionary to Ireland. March 17th was the date of Patrick’s death. 

I’m not someone who follows the “national day” calendar, but occasionally, it is fun to look at. 

I like the idea of having certain national days to celebrate such as: National Strawberry Day. 

I love strawberries. I’m looking forward to fresh, sweet, juicy strawberries this spring and summer. 

National Strawberry day falls on February 27 and National Strawberry month is in May. 

I admit, I find those dates a bit odd because June is peak season for strawberries in much of the United States. I’m surprised June isn’t national strawberry month with national strawberry day being on June 1st or June 27th. Perhaps whoever decides those things will consider changing those dates someday. 

I’m also surprised there isn’t a National Harp Day or National Harp Month. Whoever decides those dates might take those into consideration as well? 

I might suggest March as National Harp Month? 

And maybe March 17th as National Harp Day? 

Why the month of March? 

The harp is very much connected to Ireland, hence my reason for suggesting the month of March. 

The Celtic Harp, also known as the folk harp or lever harp, came from Ireland. Lever harps are the type of harp that I play. 

The harp is so connected to Ireland that the official instrument of Ireland is the harp. And Ireland’s official national emblem is also a harp. 

Ireland is the only country in the world that has its national emblem as a musical instrument. Their harp emblem appears on their passports, coins, coats of arms, and government documents.

My name Erin means: “Ireland” 

Erin is essentially another name for Ireland with various spellings for the female name Erin. 

Erin can also mean: “Peace” 

I like the latter meaning of my name a little more. 

But I do find it ironic that my name literally means Ireland, and I play the national instrument of Ireland which is the harp. 

My parents chose my name only because they liked it. It was kind of a popular name in the United States when I was born in the early 1980’s. 

My parents had no idea when they named me that I would play the harp someday. I don’t think they knew the meaning of my name either. We are primarily English, not Irish. 

Sometimes I wonder if the Lord does things like that with names and their meaning? 

My full name is: Erin Lynn

My first and middle name both end with the letter N which is special to me. In English, that makes my names rhyme. 

In Hebrew, every letter has a meaning. What is really special to me is the meaning of the Hebrew letter N. I have one in my first name and two in my middle name. But that is for another blog post.

I think about Ireland a lot during the month of March because my name and the harp are both from Ireland. 

There are many images on the internet depicting Ireland with a woman named Erin, wearing a dark green dress, and playing the harp. Those images make me smile. 

Ironically, dark green is one of the best colors on me, though blue is my favorite color.

The color green is also connected to Ireland, depicting Ireland’s lush, green, fertile land. 

I would love to visit Ireland someday.  

There are many hymns that Christians sing to the tune of Celtic or Irish melodies. 

Some of those hymns are: 

“Be Thou My Vision”  

“The King of Love” 

“Let All Things Now Living” 

“I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say” 

Sometimes, I think of hymns like these during the month of March around St. Patrick’s Day with his connection to Ireland as a missionary. 

The hymn “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say” is frequently sung to a Celtic/ Irish melody called Kingsfold. The melody is so very beautiful. 

Click here to listen to this melody on the harp. 

Recently, I read the words to this lovely hymn, one that I did not know, and I was deeply moved. 

The words are precious, so precious that I decided to share this lovely Irish hymn in a blog post. 

So many people are hurting and suffering these days. Sickness seems to be everywhere, along with sadness, anxiety, and depression. 

Just going into a local grocery store, I see sadness, brokenness, and depression in people’s eyes. People need the Lord.

Even those who know God and walk with Him need His presence, strength, and love every day. 

If you love names and the meaning of names like I do, when you see the name Jesus in this hymn, you can also use the name Yeshua, His true name. 

He loves you so much. 

Consider these precious words: 

 I heard the voice of Jesus say,

“Come unto Me and rest;

Lay down, O weary one, lay down

Thy head upon My breast.”

I came to Jesus as I was,

Weary, and worn, and sad;

I found in him a resting place,

And he has made me glad.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,

“Behold, I freely give

The living water; thirsty one,

Stoop down, and drink, and live.”

I came to Jesus, and I drank

Of that life-giving stream;

My thirst was quench'd, my soul revived,

And now I live in him.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,

“I am this dark world’s Light;

Look unto me, your morn shall rise,

And all your day be bright.”

I looked to Jesus, and I found

In him my Star, my Sun;

And in that Light of life I’ll walk,

Till trav'ling days are done. 

~ Horatius Bonar