CARMINA GADELICA

Ortha nan Gaidheal

HOGMANAY

We are come to the door

To see if we be the better of our visit,

To tell the generous women of the townland

That to-morrow is Calendae Day.

May God bless the dwelling,

Each stone, and beam, and stave,

All food, and drink, and clothing,

May health of men be always there.

The malison of God and of Hogmanay be on you,

And the scath of the plaintive buzzard,

Of the hen-harrier, of the raven, of the eagle,

And the scath of the sneaking fox.

The scath of the dog and of the cat be on you,

Of the boar, of the badger, and of the 'brugha,'

Of the hipped bear and of the wild wolf,

And the scath of the foul foumart.