Any filmmaker will tell you that not every idea makes the final cut. In fact, given our propensity for multiple takes and frantic rewrites, it’s almost always the case that more is left out of a film than displayed in the end result. In honor of St. Patrick’s feast day, I thought I might share a rendition of “St. Patrick’s Breastplate” created for my short film Lorica that was not used in the final cut.1
While contemplating options for the end-credits music and browsing talent for hire, I came across the work of Javier Morales, a talented musician trained in, amongst other skills, Mongolian and Tuvan throat singing. The notion of a classic Western hymn rendered in such an anomalous style represented the exact type of artistic juxtaposition I live for, so I impulsively hired him on the spot.
Javier’s performance was, like so much good work, unfortunately consigned to the cutting room floor. So, to celebrate Ireland’s most famous saint, please enjoy this exclusive rendition of a familiar hymn as you’ve never heard it before.
As it happens, the film’s title comes from this hymn as well, a “Lorica” being an Irish prayer of protection, deriving from a Latin word for armor. “St. Patrick’s Breastplate” is just as commonly titled “St. Patrick’s Lorica.”
Fantastic. I will share this with my Mongolian friends. Thanks so much for sharing it