Living
Setting the Iomairt
Translated by Alexander Carmichael (1900) · From Carmina Gadelica, vol. I (1900): Labour
The black by the white,
The white by the black,
The green in the middle of the red,
The red in the middle of the black.
The black in the middle of the red,
The red in the middle of the white,
The white in the middle of the green,
The green in the middle of the white.
The white in the middle of the blue,
The blue in the middle of the scarlet,
* * * *
* * * *
The scarlet to the blue,
The blue to the scarlet,
The scarlet to the black,
The black to the scarlet.
A thread to two threads
Of two colours,
Two threads of black
To one thread of white.
Seven threads to five,
Five to three,
Three to two,
Two to one,
In each border.
Codex Note
Gaelic: Suidheachadh Na H-Iomairt. Carmina Gadelica I, no. 111, Labour.
Cite this poem
MLA
Anonymous (Scottish Gaelic). “Setting the Iomairt.” Translated by Alexander Carmichael. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-scottish-gaelic/110/.
Chicago
Anonymous (Scottish Gaelic). “Setting the Iomairt.” Translated by Alexander Carmichael. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-scottish-gaelic/110/.
Read this poem with the Codex →