The Truth About Saint Patrick

taken far away from home

a captive slave, still a boy

on a hillside all alone.

Under foreign skies

the shepherd called to God

Speak oh Lord and tell me

why I'm bound to Irish sod.

A hundred prayers he prayed by day

at night almost the same

called to prayer in ice and snow

and baptized in the rain.

Listening for the still small voice

from heaven's holy heights,

longing just to know the One

who hung stars in the night.

Through six long years the slave

breathed in revelation

alone with God below the sky

certain of salvation.

Then he was free, escaped to home

learning more of Christ, the Truth and Way.

A changed man now, humble, kind,

wanting only to obey.

When in a dream the angel came

and called him back to Ireland,

so he brought the Word of Christ

and forever changed the land.

In the countryside and villages

before the great cathedrals soared

Saint Patrick spoke the truths of God

and souls came to the Lord.

He set a fire of love and truth

and it's blazing still

in Irish hearts who come to know

what he learned on Irish hills.

And so if you are in Ireland

and you're under starry skies

look up and pray as Patrick did

until the voice of God draws nigh.

Note:

Born in Wales or Scotland, as a teen Patrick was captured and sold into slavery in Ireland. Six years later he escaped to Gaul (now France) where he later became a monk. Around 432 he returned to Ireland as a missionary and succeeded in converting the island to Christianity. Later in life he wrote a brief text, Confessio, detailing his life and ministry. (It is now known as The Confession of St. Patrick in which he writes of his years of slavery as a shepherd, praying in the woods and mountains. He reflects that the ice, rain and snow did not bother him, he was so on fire for God. )

Source:
Who2.com