CARMINA GADELICA

Ortha nan Gaidheal

REAPING BLESSING

God, bless Thou Thyself my reaping

Each ridge, and plain, and field,

Each sickle curved, shapely, hard,

Each ear and handful in the sheaf,

Each ear and handful in the sheaf.

Bless each maiden and youth,

Each woman and tender youngling,

Safeguard them beneath Thy shield of strength,

And guard them in the house of the saints,

Guard them in the house of the saints.

Encompass each goat, sheep and lamb,

Each cow and horse, and store,

Surround Thou the flocks and herds,

And tend them to a kindly fold,

Tend them to a kindly fold.

For the sake of Michael head of hosts,

Of Mary fair-skinned branch of grace,

Of Bride smooth-white of tingleted locks,

Of Columba of the graves and tombs,

Columba of the graves and tombs.