CARMINA GADELICA

Ortha nan Gaidheal

HUNTING BLESSING

From my loins begotten wert thou, my son,

May I guide thee the way that is right,

In the holy name of the apostles eleven

In name of the Son of God torn of thee.

In name of James, and Peter, and Paul,

John the baptist, and John the apostle above,

Luke the physician, and Stephen the martyr,

Muriel the fair, and Mary mother of the Lamb.

In name of Patrick holy of the deeds,

And Carmac of the rights and tombs,

Columba beloved, and Adamnan of laws,

Fire calm, and Bride of the milk and kine.

In name of Michael chief of hosts,

In name of Ariel youth of lovely hues,

In name of Uriel of the golden locks,

And Gabriel seer of the Virgin of grace.

The time thou shalt have closed thine eye,

Thou shalt not bend thy knee nor move,

Thou shalt not wound the duck that is swimming,

Never shalt thou harry her of her young.

The white swan of the sweet gurgle,

The speckled dun of the brown tuft,

Thou shalt not cut a feather from their backs,

Till the doom-day, on the crest of the wave.

On the wing be they always

Ere thou place missile to thine ear,

And the fair Mary will give thee of her love,

And the lovely Bride will give thee of her kine.

Thou shalt not eat fallen fish nor fallen flesh,

Nor one bird that thy hand shall not bring down,

Be thou thankful for the one,

Though nine should be swimming.

The fairy swan of Bride of flocks,

The fairy duck of Mary of peace.