Living
The Quern Blessing
Translated by Alexander Carmichael (1900) · From Carmina Gadelica, vol. I (1900): Labour
On Ash Eve
We shall have flesh,
We should have that
We should have that.
The cheek of hen,
Two bits of barley,
That were enough
That were enough.
We shall have mead,
We shall have spruce,
We shall have wine,
We shall have feast.
We shall have sweetness and milk produce,
Honey and milk,
Wholesome ambrosia,
Abundance of that,
Abundance of that.
We shall have harp, (small?)
We shall have harp, (pedal?)
We shall have lute,
We shall have horn.
We shall have sweet psaltery
Of the melodious strings
And the regal lyre,
Of the songs we shall have,
Of the songs we shall have.
The calm fair Bride will be with us,
The gentle Mary mother will be with us.
Michael the chief
Of glancing glaves,
And the King of kings
And Jesus Christ,
And the Spirit of peace
And of grace will be with us,
Of grace will be with us.
Codex Note
Gaelic: Beannachadh Brathain. Carmina Gadelica I, no. 92, Labour.
Cite this poem
MLA
Anonymous (Scottish Gaelic). “The Quern Blessing.” Translated by Alexander Carmichael. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-scottish-gaelic/91/.
Chicago
Anonymous (Scottish Gaelic). “The Quern Blessing.” Translated by Alexander Carmichael. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-scottish-gaelic/91/.
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