Song Meaning
The lyrics present a fervent plea for divine inspiration and transformation. The narrator directly addresses the "breath of God," asking to be filled with new life and aligned with divine will. This initial request sets a tone of earnest devotion and a desire for spiritual renewal, aiming to mirror the divine in action and affection. It's a direct petition for an infusion of sacred energy to reshape the self.
The central tension lies in the narrator's aspiration for complete spiritual possession and purification. The repeated invocation, "O, breathe on me, breath of God," underscores a yearning to be "wholly Thine." This desire extends beyond mere inspiration, seeking a profound internal change where the "earthly part" is consumed and transformed by "fire divine." The lyrics articulate a deep-seated wish for the sacred to permeate and purify the mundane aspects of existence.
The most striking aspect of the craft is the consistent, almost hypnotic repetition of the opening phrase, which acts as a powerful incantation. This repetition, coupled with the escalating imagery from "life anew" to a "glows with Thy fire divine" and finally to "Thine eternity," charts a progression of spiritual intensity. The lyrics move from a request for guidance to a desire for complete absorption into the divine essence, promising an end to mortality and the attainment of a "perfect life."