CARMINA GADELICA

Ortha nan Gaidheal

LOOM BLESSING

Bless, O Chief of generous chiefs,

My loom and everything a-near me,

Bless me in my every action,

Make Thou me safe while I live.

From every brownie and fairy woman,

From every evil wish and sorrow,

Help me, O Thou helping Being,

As long as I shall be in the land of the living.

In name of Mary, mild of deeds,

In name of Columba, just and potent,

Consecrate the four posts of my loom.,

Till I begin on Monday.

Her pedaIs, her sleay, and her shuttle,

Her reeds, her warp, and her cogs,

Her cloth-beam, and her thread-beam,

Thrums and the thread of the plies.

Every web, black, white, and fair,

Roan, dun, checked, and red,

Give Thy blessing everywhere,

On every shuttle passing under the thread.

Thus will my loom be unharmed,

Till I shall arise on Monday;

Beauteous Mary will give me of her love,

And there shall be no obstruction I shall not overcome.