CARMINA GADELICA

Ortha nan Gaidheal

MILKING BLESSING

Columba will give to her progeny,

Coivi the propitious, will give to her grass,

My speckled heifer will give me her milk,

And her female calf before her.

Ho my heifer! heifer! heifer!

Ho my heifer! kindly, calm,

My heifer gentle, gentle, beloved,

Thou art the love of thy mother.

Seest yonder thriving bramble bush

And the other bush glossy with brambles,

Such like is my fox-coloured heifer,

And her female calf before her.

Ho my heifer ! -

The calm Bride of the white combs

Will give to my loved heifer the lustre of the swan,

While the loving Mary, of the combs of honey,

Will give to her the mottle of the heather hen.

Ho my heifer ! -