Mythology & Folklore

Thwarting the Evil Eye

by Anonymous (Scottish Gaelic) traditional; collected in the Highlands and Islands 1855–1899

Translated by Alexander Carmichael (1900) · From Carmina Gadelica, vol. II (1900): Incantations

Mythology & Folklore

Who shall thwart the evil eye ?
I shall thwart it, methinks,
In name of the King of life.
Three seven commands so potent,
Spake Christ in the door of the city ;
Pater Mary one,
Pater King two,
Pater Mary three.
Pater King four.
Pater Mary five.
Pater King six.
Pater Mary seven ;
Seven pater Maries will thwart
The evil eye.
Whether it be on man or on beast.

On horse or on cow ;
Be thou in thy full health this night,
[The name.]
In name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

MLA

Anonymous (Scottish Gaelic). “Thwarting the Evil Eye.” Translated by Alexander Carmichael. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-scottish-gaelic/149/.

Chicago

Anonymous (Scottish Gaelic). “Thwarting the Evil Eye.” Translated by Alexander Carmichael. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-scottish-gaelic/149/.

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