CARMINA GADELICA

Ortha nan Gaidheal

THE CONSECRATION OF THE CLOTH

Well can I say my rune,

Descending with the glen;

One rune,

Two runes,

Three runes,

Four runes,

Five runes,

Six runes.

Seven runes,

Seven and a half runes,

Seven and a half runes.

May the man of this clothing never be wounded,

May torn he never be;

What time he goes into battle or combat,

May the sanctuary shield of the Lord be his.

What time he goes into battle or combat,

May the sanctuary shield of the Lord be his.

This is not second clothing and it is not thigged,

Nor is it the right of sacristan or of priest.

Cresses green culled beneath a stone,

And given to a woman in secret.

The shank of the deer in the head of the herring,

And in the slender tail of the speckled salmon