caffeine, please.: the Breastplate of St. Patrick

Thanks to some recently acquired tuneage of the Ragamuffin Band from emusic.com, I have become smitten with a modern prayer song which finds its roots in an ancient prayer. Actually it finds its roots in two ancient prayers, one from Francis of Assisi called Make Me An Instrument and the other from St. Patrick. But while both smite me, the Breastplate smites me even more. May it smite you as well.

The Breastplate of St Patrick

I bind unto myself today
The power of God to hold and lead,
His eye to watch, his might to stay
His ear to hearken to my need
The wisdom of my God to teach,
His hand to guide, his shield to ward;
The word of God to give me speech,
His heavenly host to be my guard.
Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in mouth of friend or stranger.
I bind unto myself the name,
The strong name of the Trinity;
By invocation of the same,
The Three in One, the One in Three,
Of whom all nature hath creation;
Eternal Father, Spirit, Word,
Praise to the Lord of my salvation,
Salvation is of Christ the Lord.