lliiiii SiaA>. (o^. CARMINA GADELICA ORTHA NAN GAIDHEAL A^J Carmina Gadelica Hymns and Incantations With Illustrative Notes on Words, Rites, and Customs, Dying and Obsolete : Orally Collected in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland and Translated into English By Alexander Carmichael Volume I Oliver and Boyd Edinburgh : Tweeddale Court London: 33 Paternoster Row, E.C.4 1928 First Edition 1900 Second Edition 1928 ORTHA NAN GAIDHEAL URNAN AGUS UBAGAN LE SOLUS AIR FACLA GNATHA AGUS CLEACHDANA A CHAIDH AIR CHUL CNUASAICHTE BHO BHIALACHAS FEADH GAIDHEALTACHD NA H-ALBA AGUS TIONNDAICHTE BHO GHAIDHLIG GU BEURLA, LE ALASTAIR MACGILLEMHICHEIL PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION This work, of which only a limited edition was published in 1900, has long been difficult to get, and at a prohibitive price. The Collector of the Poems and many of those whom he has mentioned in the Introduction have passed to the other side. Important changes for the better have taken place in Highland agriculture and land tenure, and enlightened views on the value and use of Gaelic are now more prevalent. But much literature has been lost which can never be recalled or replaced, and the number of Gaelic speakers has greatly decreased. The present issue contains all the matter in the original volumes. Some misprints have been corrected, and a few unimportant alterations have been made. Deviations from ordinary Gaelic speDing and grammar reflect the language of the reciters. It is intended to publish further volumes from Dr Carmichael's Collections. E. C. C. W. 1928. ^3 ' CONTENTS ACHAINE INVOCATIONS PAGE 1. Rann ronih Uriiuigh Rune before Prayer 3 Ta mi lubadh mo ghlun I am bending my knee 2. Dia liom a laighe God with me lying down Dia liom a laighe God with me lying down 3. Ora nam Buadh The Invocation of the Graces lonnlairae do bhasa I bathe thy palms 4. Achanaidh choitcheann A general Supplication 13 Dhe, eisd ri m' urnuigh God, listen to my prayer 5. Dhe bi maille ruinn God be with us 15 Dhe bi maille ruinn God be with us 6. los, a Mhic Muire Jesu, Thou Son of Mary 19 los, a Mhic Muire Jesu, Thou Son of Mary 7. Athair Naomha na Gloir Holy Father of Glory 23 Buidheachas duit, Athair Naomha Thanks be to Thee, Holy Father 8. Uirnigh A Prayer 27 A Dhia, ann mo ghniamh O God, in my deeds 9. Duan na Muthairn Rune of the ' Muthairn 29 A Righ na gile Thou King of the moon 10. Beannaich, a Thriath Bless, O Chief 31 Beannaich, a Thriath nam flath Bless, O Chief of generous fial chiefs 11. Solus-iuil na Siorruidheachd The guiding light of Eternity 33 Dhe, thug mis a fois na h-oidhch God, who broughtst me 12. Achanaidh Grais A Prayer for Grace 35 Ta mi lubadh mo ghlun 1 am bending my knee CONTENTS PAGE 13. Achanaidh Comhnadh Prayer for Protection 37 Bho is tu is Buachaill As Thou art the Shepherd 14. Eosai bu choir a mholadh Jesu who ought to be praised 39 Bu cho fus a dh' losa It were as easy for Jesu 15. Carraig nan Al The Rock of Rocks 43 Air Carraig nan al On the Rock of rocks 16. Sorchar nan Reul The Lightener of the Stars 45 Feuch Sorchar nan reul Behold the Lightener of the stars 17. Crois nan Naonih The Cross of the Saints 47 Crois nan naomh The cross of the saints 18. An t-Aingheal Diona The Guardian Angel 49 Ainghil Dhe a fhuair mo Thou angel of God who hast churara charge 19. Ruin Desires 51 Labhram gach la a reir do May I speak each day accord- cheartais ing to Thy justice 20. Ora Ceartais Invocation for Justice 53 lonnlaidh raise ra' aodann I will wash my face 21. Ora Ceartais Invocation for Justice 55 Dhe, tha mi liuthaU m' aodainn God, I am bathing my face 22. OraBuaidh Prayer for Victory 57 lonnlaidh mi m' aodann I bathe my face 23. An Liuthail The Lustration 59 Ta mi liuthail m' aodainn I am bathing my face 24. Ora Boisilidh Bathing Prayer 61 Boisileag air th' aois A palmful for thine age 25. Dhe stiuir mi God guide me 65 Dhe stiuir mi le d' ghliocas God guide me with Thy wisdom 26. Beannachadh Cadail Sleep Blessing 67 Biodh do lamh dheas, a Dhe Be Thy right hand, O God 27. Thigeam an Diugh Come I this Day 69 Thigeam an diugh 'an t-Athair Come I this day to the Father CONTENTS AIR. FAOB 28. An Achanaidh Anama The Soul Plaint 71 O los, a nochd Jesu ! to-night 29. Urnuigh Chadail Sleeping Prayer 73 Ta mi cur m' anama 's mo 1 am placing my soul and my 30. Laighim sios an nochd 38. A Choich Anama Dhe tabhair aithne 39. Coich-Anama Ainghil Dhe, a fhuair mo churam 40. Laighim am Leabaidh Laighim am leabaidh 41. Urnuigh Maduinn Taing dhut losda Criosda 42. An Tionnsgann Taing dhuit, a Dhe xii CONTENTS AIR. 43. Achanaidh Taimh A resting Prayer 101 Dhe, teasruig an tigh God shield the house 44. Teisreadh Taighe House Protecting 103 Dhe,beannakh an ce 's na bheilann God, bless the world 45. Beannachadh Taiglie Blessing of House 105 Dhe, beannaich an taigh God bless the house 46. Co dha dhiolas mi Cios To whom shall I offer 107 Co dha dhiolas mi cios To whom shall I offer oblation 47. Earna Mhoire Hail, Mary 109 Failt, a Mlioire ! failt, a Mhoire ! Hail, Mary ! hail, Mary ! 48. Failte a Mhoire Hail to Thee, Mary 111 Failte dhuit, a Mhoire Mhathair ! Hail to thee, Mary, Mother ! 49. An Cath nach tainig The Battle to come 113 losa Mhic Mhoire Jesus, Thou Son of Mary 50. Am Beannachadh Baistidh The Baptism Blessing 115 Thi, tha comhnadh nan ard Thou Being who inhabitest 51. An Treoraich Anama The Soul Leading 117 An t-anam-s' air do laimh Be this soul on Thine arm 52. Am Beannachadh Bais The Death Blessing 119 Dhia, na diobair a bhean God, omit not this woman 53. Fois Anama Soul Peace 121 O "s tus a Chriosd a cheannaich Since Thou Christ it was 54. A Ghealach ur The new Moon 123 An ainm Spiorad Naomh nan In name of the Holy Spirit of gras grace AIMSIRE SEASONS 55. Nuall Nollaig Christmas Hail 127 Ho Ri, ho Ri Hail to the King, hail to the King 56. Duan Nollaig Christmas Carol 133 Hoire ! hoire ! beannaicht e ! HailKing! haUKing! blessed is He! CONTENTS PAGE 57. Duan Nollaig Christinas Chant 135 Hoire ! hoire ! beannaicht e ! Hail King I hail King ! 58. Heire Bannag Hey the Gift 139 Heire Bannag, hoire Bannag Hey the Gift, ho the Gift 59. Heire Bannag, hoire Bannag Hey the Gift, ho the Gift 141 Heire Bannag, hoire Bannag Hey the Gift, ho the Gift 60. Bannag nam Buadh The Gift of Power 143 Is mise Bannag, is mise Bochd I am the Gift, I am the Poor 61. An Oigh agus an Leanabh The Virgin and Child 145 Chunnacas an Oigh a teachd Behold the Virgin approaching 62. Rugadh Buachaille The Shepherd of the Flock 147 Oidhche sin a dhealraich an reiilt That night the star shone 63. Calluinn a Bhuilg Hogmanay of the Sack 149 Calluinn a bhuilg Hogmanay of the sack 64. Cairioll Callaig Hogmanay Carol 151 Nis tha mis air tighinn dh' ur I am now come to your duthaic'h country 65. Duan Callaig The Song of Hogmanay 153 Nist o thaine sinn dh' an Now since we came to the duthaich country 66. Oidhche Challaig Hogmanay 157 Tliaine sinne chon an doriiis We are come to the door 67. Beannachadh Bliadhna Uir Blessing of the New Year 159 Dhe, beannaich dhomh an la ur God, bless to me the new day 68. Criosda Cleireach os ar cionn Christ the Priest above us 161 Criosda Cleireach os ar cionn Christ the Priest above us 69. LaChaluim-Chille The Day of St Columba 163 Daorn Chalum-chille chaoirah Thursday of Columba benign 70. Sloinntireachd Bhride Genealogy of Bride 164 Sloinneadh na Ban-naomh The genealogy of the holy maiden 71. Bride Ban-Chobhair Bride the Aid-Woman 177 Thainig thugam cobhair There came to me assistance CONTENTS PAGE 72. Manus mo Ruin Magnus of my Love 179 A Mhanuis mo ruin O Magnus of my love 73. Am Beannachadh Bealltain The Beltane Blessing 183 Beannaich, a Thrianailt Bless, O Threefold 74. Am Beannachd Bealltain The Beltane Blessing 187 A Mhoire, a mhathair nan naomh Mary, thou mother of saints 75. Laoidh an Trial! Hymn of the Procession 190 Mhicheil mhil nan steud geala Valiant Michael of the white steeds 76. La Feill Moire The Feast Day of Mary 195 La feiU Moire cubhr On the feast day of Mary the fragrant 77. Micheal nam Buadh Michael, the Victorious 198 Mhicheil nam buadh Thou Michael the victorious 78. An Beannachadh Struain The Blessing of the ' Strilan ' 213 Gach min tha fo m' chleibh Each meal beneath my roof 79. Duan an Domhnuich Poem of the Lord's Day 217 Duan an Domhnuich The Poem of the Lord's Day 80. Duan an Domhnaich Hymn of the Sunday 223 An Domhnach naomha do Dhe On the Holy Sunday of thy God 81. Duan na Dilinn Poem of the Flood 225 Di-luain thig On Monday ^vill come OIBRE LABOUR 82. Beannachadh Beothachaidh Blessing of the Kindling 231 Togaidh mi mo theine an I will kindle my fire this diugh morning 83.