You’ve probably heard it in a drafty stone cathedral or maybe just hummed it while doing the dishes. It’s one of those songs that feels like it’s always existed, like part of the furniture of the world. I'm talking about the day by day hymn lyrics that almost everyone can recite at least a fragment of, even if they haven't stepped foot in a church in a decade. "Day by day, dear Lord, of thee three things I pray: to see thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, follow thee more nearly, day by day."
It’s deceptively simple. Honestly, that's why it sticks. But the story behind these words isn't some polished, corporate worship vibe. It’s actually kind of gritty. It stretches back to the 13th century and a man named Richard of Chichester, a guy who lived through enough political drama and personal hardship to make a modern Netflix series look tame.
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When people search for these lyrics today, they aren't usually looking for a history lesson. They're looking for a bit of grounding. In a world that feels like it’s spinning off its axis every Tuesday, there is something deeply stabilizing about a prayer that refuses to look further than the next twenty-four hours.
The Man Behind the Prayer: St. Richard of Chichester
Richard de Wych was born in 1197. Life wasn't exactly easy back then. He grew up in an era of massive wealth inequality and constant religious tension. His family lost their fortune, and he basically spent his youth working on a farm to pull his brother out of debt. He wasn't some ivory-tower academic who didn't understand the "day by day" struggle; he lived it.
Eventually, he rose through the ranks of the church, but he wasn't exactly a favorite of King Henry III. The King actually confiscated his lands and forbid anyone from giving him shelter. For years, Richard was essentially a homeless bishop, wandering around his diocese and relying on the kindness of others. He died in 1253, and according to tradition, he recited the prayer that became the day by day hymn lyrics on his deathbed.
Think about that for a second.
He wasn't praying for a legacy. He wasn't asking for a monument. He was asking for the strength to get through the immediate present. It’s a survivalist’s prayer turned into a masterpiece of English literature.
Why the Lyrics Changed in the 1970s
If you grew up in the 70s or 80s, you might not associate this hymn with an ancient saint. You probably associate it with a bunch of people in colorful face paint singing on a playground. I'm talking about Godspell.
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Stephen Schwartz, the musical genius who later gave us Wicked, took those 13th-century words and turned them into a folk-rock anthem. It’s a weird transition if you think about it. How do words from the Middle Ages become a Top 40 hit in 1972?
Basically, Schwartz recognized the universal rhythm of the lyrics. The Godspell version added a bit of "pop" sensibility, but the core—the longing for clarity and closeness—remained untouched. This version is why many people today search for "Day by Day" and expect to hear an acoustic guitar instead of an organ.
It’s worth noting that the original prayer was in Latin. Translation is always a bit of a gamble, but the English version we use today captures that specific "th" alliteration—thee, three, things—that makes it so easy to memorize. It’s a linguistic "earworm."
Breaking Down the "Three Things"
Most hymns are long. They have five verses and a bridge and a repetitive chorus. The day by day hymn lyrics are different because they are fundamentally a list.
- To see thee more clearly. This isn't about physical sight. It’s about discernment. In a world filled with misinformation and "noise," the desire to see the truth of things is pretty relatable.
- To love thee more dearly. This moves from the head to the heart. It’s about affection and commitment.
- To follow thee more nearly. This is the action step. If you see clearly and love deeply, your behavior should naturally change.
The beauty of this structure is its lack of ambition. It doesn't ask to change the world or win a war. It asks for incremental improvement. Day by day. Not year by year. Not "give me a five-year plan." Just today.
The Psychological Power of Small Windows
There’s a reason recovery programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) adopted similar language. "One day at a time" is a direct cousin to these lyrics.
Psychologically, humans are terrible at projecting into the future. We get overwhelmed. We get anxious. We start catastrophizing about things that haven't happened yet. When you focus on the lyrics of this hymn, you are essentially performing a mindfulness exercise. You are shrinking your world down to a manageable size.
You’ve probably noticed that when people are in deep grief or crisis, they stop talking about the future. They talk about "getting through the afternoon." That is exactly what Richard of Chichester was tapping into. It’s a theology of the immediate.
Real Examples of the Hymn in Modern Culture
It’s not just in hymnals or musicals. These lyrics show up in the strangest places.
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- In Literature: You’ll find references to these lines in works by T.S. Eliot and other poets who were obsessed with the idea of time and tradition.
- In Pop Culture: Beyond Godspell, the song has been covered by everyone from Cliff Richard to various gospel choirs. Each version changes the "vibe," but the words are bulletproof.
- In Personal Rituals: I know people who have these words tattooed on their arms. I know others who have it on a post-it note on their computer monitor.
It’s a "transferable" lyric. You don’t even have to be traditionally religious to find value in it. You can replace the "thee" with "the truth" or "my purpose" and the sentiment still holds up. It’s about alignment.
Misconceptions About the Text
People often think the hymn is much longer than it is. In its purest form, it’s just those few lines.
Later songwriters added verses to make it fit a standard four-minute song structure, but those additions usually lack the punch of the original. Some versions add lines about "the light of the sun" or "the beauty of the earth," which are fine, I guess, but they sort of dilute the intensity of the three-fold prayer.
Another misconception is that it’s a "happy" song. Because of the Godspell melody, we tend to think of it as upbeat. But if you look at the circumstances of St. Richard—homeless, under interdict, dying—it’s actually a very heavy, desperate plea. It’s a song for when you are at the end of your rope.
Practical Ways to Use These Lyrics Today
If you’re feeling scattered, there’s actually a practical way to apply the "day by day" philosophy without needing a choir.
Audit your morning. Instead of checking your email first thing, read the lyrics. Ask yourself: What do I need to see clearly today? Who do I need to love a little better? What small step can I take to follow my values?
Use it as a breathing exercise. Inhale: To see thee more clearly. Exhale: To love thee more dearly. It sounds a bit "woo-woo," but it works. It centers the nervous system.
Write your own "Three Things." What are the three things you are praying for or working toward right now? Keeping the list short makes it achievable.
The day by day hymn lyrics have survived for nearly a millennium because they don't ask too much of us. They don't demand perfection. They just demand presence. In a 2026 world that is increasingly digital and disconnected, that ancient, analog plea for clarity and closeness feels more relevant than ever.
Actionable Insights for Using Hymn Lyrics for Mindfulness
- Identify the Core: When looking at any hymn or ancient text, strip away the melody and look at the verbs. "See," "Love," and "Follow" are action-oriented goals that provide a roadmap for daily behavior.
- Contextualize the History: Knowing that these lyrics came from a man experiencing political exile adds a layer of resilience to the words. Use them when you feel "pushed out" or unappreciated.
- Limit Your Scope: Practice the "24-hour rule" found in the hymn. If a problem feels too big to solve, apply the lyrics only to your immediate tasks for the next 12 to 24 hours.
- Contrast Versions: Listen to the choral version by Martin How and then the 1970s pop version. Notice how the same words can evoke either somber reflection or joyful hope, depending on your current emotional needs.
- Journaling Prompt: Write down what "seeing clearly" looks like in your specific career or relationship right now. Often, we don't see clearly because we are clouded by our own projections or fears.