Eleanor Henrietta Hull (1860–1935) was an Irish Christian hymn writer and translator. She was born on January 15, 1860, in Manchester, England, and spent much of her life in Ireland. Eleanor Hull is best known for her contributions to hymnody, particularly for her translations of medieval Gaelic poetry into English.
One of her most notable translations is the English version of the ancient Irish hymn “Be Thou My Vision,” which is often sung to the tune of an Irish folk melody. This hymn is a beloved Christian song that has been included in many hymnals and worship services around the world. Hull’s translation of this hymn is cherished for its poetic and devotional qualities.
Eleanor Hull was well-versed in Celtic literature and was a scholar of the Irish language. She contributed to the preservation and dissemination of Celtic literature through her translations. In addition to “Be Thou My Vision,” she translated and adapted several other hymns from the Irish language.
“Be Thou My Vision” is a traditional hymn with Irish origins. The text is often attributed to the ancient Irish poet Saint Dallán Forgaill, also known as St. Dallán or Eochaid ua Flainn. He was a 6th-century Irish monk, scholar, and chief poet of Ireland.
The hymn has been translated into English over the years, and the most well-known English version is often credited to Mary E. Byrne, who wrote the versification in 1905. The modern English version of the hymn’s text is usually based on the translation by Eleanor H. Hull in 1912. The hymn is commonly sung to the Irish folk tune “Slane.”
“Be Thou My Vision” is a beloved Christian hymn that expresses a desire for God to be the guiding force and vision in one’s life, providing wisdom, direction, and spiritual insight.
