CARMINA GADELICA

Ortha nan Gaidheal

BED BLESSING

I am lying down to-night

With Mary mild and with her Son,

With the Mother of my King,

Who is shielding me from harm.

I will not lie down with evil,

Nor shall evil lie down with me,

But I will lie down with God,

And God will lie down with me.

God and Mary and Michael kindly

And the cross of the nine angels fair,

Be shielding me as Three and as One,

From the brow of my face to the edge of my soles.

I beseech Peter, I beseech Paul,

I beseech Mary, I beseech the Son,

I beseech the trustful Apostles twelve

To preserve me from hurt and harm;

O from dying to-night,

From dying to-night!

O God! O Mary of Glory!

O Jesu! Son of the Virgin fragrant,

Sain Ye us from the pains everlasting,

And from the fire fierce and murky,

From the pains everlasting,

And from the fire fierce and murky!