#edwin hatch

Hymn Story: Breathe on Me, Breath of God

Breathe on Me, Breath of God was written by Edwin Hatch.

Hatch was an English theologian born in Derby, England on September 4, 1835.

He eventually became Bishop of Manchester and noted for his strong mental independence and extreme study habits. By the 1880s, he was a well-known lecturer.

Hatch published the song privately in 1878 in a pamphlet titled “Between Doubt and Prayer. The hymn…

Breathe on me, Breath of God, fill me with life anew; that I may love the things You love, and do what You would do. Breathe on me, Breath of God. Breathe on me, Breath of God, 'til my heart is pure. Until with You, I have one will: to live and to endure. Breathe on me, Breath of God.

Breathe on me, Breath of God, my soul with grace refine, until this earthly part of me glows with Your fire divine.

“breathe on me, breath of God,

fill me with life anew,

that i may love what Thou dost love

and do what Thou wouldst do.

breathe on me, breath of God,

till i am wholly Thine,

until this earthly part of me

glows with Thy fire devine.”

Edwin Hatch

Have you ever cried during mass because a song is just so beautiful? That is the effect that this song has on me. O Breathe On Me, O Breath of God is probably one of my favorite hymns of all time. I honestly don’t know how to describe it but I find its tune very captivating. The hymn is short enough that you can probably memorize it and sing it whenever you are in need of the Holy Spirit to breathe some life into you. 

Breathe on me, Breath of God, Until my heart is pure, Until with Thee I will one will, To do and to endure.

Breathe on me, Breath of God, Till I am wholly Thine, Until this earthly part of me Glows with Thy fire divine.

Breathe on me, Breath of God, So shall I never die, But live with Thee the perfect life Of Thine eternity.

Breathe on me, breath of God,  Fill me with life anew, That I may love what Thou dost love, And do what Thou wouldst do.

Breathe on me, breath of God, Until my heart is pure, Until with Thee I will one will, To do and to endure.

Breathe on me, breath of God, Blend all my soul with Thine, Until this earthly part of me Glows with Thy fire divine.

Breathe on me, breath of God, So shall I never die, But live with Thee the perfect life Of Thine eternity.