CARMINA GADELICA

Ortha nan Gaidheal

THE SHEPHERD OF THE FLOCK WAS BORN

That night the star shone

Was born the Shepherd of the Flock,

Of the Virgin of the hundred charms,

The Mary Mother.

The Trinity eternal by her side,

In the manger cold and lowly.

Come and give tithes of thy means

To the Healing Man.

The foam-white breastling beloved,

Without one home in the world,

The tender holy Babe forth driven,

Immanuel!

Ye three angels of power,

Come ye, come ye down;

To the Christ of the people

Give ye salutation.

Kiss ye His hands,

Dry ye His feet

With the hair of your heads;

And O! Thou world-pervading God,

And Ye, Jesu, Michael, Mary,

Do not Ye forsake us.