Living
Guarding the Flocks
Translated by Alexander Carmichael (1900) · From Carmina Gadelica, vol. I (1900): Labour
May Mary the mild keep the sheep,
May Bride the calm keep the sheep,
May Columba keep the sheep,
May Maolruba keep the sheep,
May Carmac keep the sheep,
From the fox and the wolf.
May Oran keep the kine,
May Modan keep the kine,
May Dorman keep the kine,
May Moluag keep the kine,
May Maolruan keep the kine,
On soft land and hard land.
May the Spirit of peace preserve the flocks,
May the Son of Mary Virgin preserve the flocks,
May the God of glory preserve the flocks,
May the Three preserve the flocks,
From wounding and from death-loss,
From wounding and from death-loss.
Codex Note
Gaelic: Gleidheadh Treuid. Carmina Gadelica I, no. 104, Labour.
Cite this poem
MLA
Anonymous (Scottish Gaelic). “Guarding the Flocks.” Translated by Alexander Carmichael. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-scottish-gaelic/103/.
Chicago
Anonymous (Scottish Gaelic). “Guarding the Flocks.” Translated by Alexander Carmichael. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-scottish-gaelic/103/.
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