CARMINA GADELICA

Ortha nan Gaidheal

THE CHANT OF THE WARPING

Thursday of beneficence,

For warping and waulking,

An hundred and fifty strands there shall be

To number.

Blue thread, very fine,

Two of white by its side,

And scarlet by the side

Of the madder.

My warp shall be very even,

Give to me Thy blessing, O God,

And to all who are beneath my roof

In the dwelling.

Michael, thou angel of power,

Mary fair, who art above,

Christ, Thou Shepherd of the people,

Do ye your eternal blessing

Bestow

On each one who shall lie down,

In name of the Father and of Christ,

And of the Spirit of peacefulness,

And of grace.

Sprinkle down on us like dew

The gracious wisdom of the mild woman,

Who neglected never the guidance

Of the High King.

Ward away every evil eye,

And all people of evil wishes,

Consecrate the woof and the warp

Of every thread.

Place Thou Thine arm around

Each woman who shall be waulking it,

And do Thou aid her in the hour

Of her need.

Give to me virtues abundant,

As Mary had in her day,

That I may possess the glory

Of the High King.

Since Thou, O God, it is who givest growth,

To each species and kind,

Give us wool from the surface

Of the green grass.

Consecrate the flock in every place,

With their little lambs melodious, innocent,

And increase the generations

Of our herds.

So that we may obtain from them wool,

And nourishing milk to drink,

And that no dearth may be ours

Of day clothing.