-- -» >--fc
OR
THE RELIGIOUS SONGS OF CONNACHT
IflJSH MADE 1'AfRH].
By the same Author.
A LITERARY HISTORY OF IRELAND. With Photogravure Frontispiece. Demy Svo, doth, 12/6 net.
THE STORY OF EARLY GAELIC
LITERATURE. Small crown Svo, paper, l/= ; cloth, 2/~
By W. B. Yeats.
POEMS.
A New Edition, Revised and entirely Re-set.
Large crown Svo, cloth, J/6. JOHN SHERMAN AND DHOYA.
Paper, 1/6 ; cloth, 2/- IRISH FAIRY TALES,
Edited by W. B. Yeats. Illustrated by Jack B. Yeats.
Decorated binding, I/- London: T. FISHER UNWIN.
T3iAt)A cuije
RELIGIors SONGS OF CONNACHT
A Collection q/ Poems, Stories, Prayers, Satires, Ranns, Charms, etc.
CU1T) II.
(BEING CHAPTER vn. OF THE SONGS OF CONNACHT)
Now for the first time Collected, Edited, and Translated
BY
DOUGLAS HYDE
(An
LONDON T. FISHER UNWIN
DUBLIN M. H. GILL AND SON, LTD
MCMVI
ctAn
DA t>AncA A bpuit fteitttn (*) ttompA "°o cuijieA-6 fiof 50 oifteAC 6 beAl tiA nt>Aome IAT>, A^tif if -0615 TIAC fiAib fiA-o Aft pAipeAji 50 T>CI Atiotp, ACC AtTiAin ceAnn 116 •66 ACA.
*An Cl11U]l t)j1Atdf1
*5o bpoipit) DIA
*'S me An CjteAcuift IAJ ... ... ... . ... 4
*bftonnAini m'AtiAm ... ... ... ... ... 4
*OJICA riluipe
*A lofA .............. ... 6
*A Uis nA 1i-Aoine ... ... ... ... ... 6
*Aiplir)5 tfltnjie ... ... ... ... ... 8
*An ti. cx)n. (coip eile)
rhuipe (coip eile 6 CopcAij) ... ... 10
ttluijte (coip eile 6 .dtroinACA) ... ... 12
*Coil "Oe ... ... ... ... ... ... 12
*A t>e ............ ...... 14
*CAt>Ai|i A'P CAiffoe ... ... ... .. ... 16
*Ain5iL T)e ... ... ... ... ... ... 16
*gnuir "Oe ... ... ... ... ... .. 18
*OficA tiluijie (coip eite) ... ... ... ... 20
*pAix>itiin CUOAJICA ... ... ... ... ... 22
*A Uij nA gCAjiAt) ... ... ... ... ... 24
*A nij nA sCtieAcc ... ... ... ... ... 24
*lAi-6im te T)iA ... ... ... ... ... 26
*j;o tAi-oeAt) le TMA ... ... ... ... ... 28
*xMrACAt» leAbiA ... ... .. ... ... 30
*Si'mm-fe Aft An tCAbAit) j'eo ... ... ... ... 32
*Simm fiop ... ... ... ... ... ... 32
*1 n-Atnm An AcAjt ... ... ... ... ... 34
*A ttlAiJTjeAn tteAniiAi^ce ... .« ... ... 36
*Lui5im teAc A lopA ... ... ... ... ... 33
te T)iA ... .. ... ... 40
CONTENTS.
The pieces marked with an asterisk (*) were taken down exactly
as they came from the inoutha of the people, and I believe that, with
cue or two exceptions, they have never been written down until now.
Page
* The Three Friars ... ... ... ... ... 3
* The Foolish Sinner ... ... ... ... ... 3
•Weakly I go 5
* I bestow thee my soul ... ... ... ... 5
•Mary's "Ortha" ... ... ... ... ... 7
* The Sacrament's Grace ... . ... ... ... 7
* 0 King of the Friday ... ... ... ... 7
* Mary's Vision ... ... ... ... ... 9
*The!Same. Another Version ... ... ... ... 9
* The Same. A Cork Version ... ... ... .* 11
* The Same. An Armagh Version ... ... ... 13
* The Will of God 13
*OGod ... ... ... ... ... ... 15
* Help and Friends ... ... ... ... ... 17
* God's Angels ... ... ... ... ... 17
*May we behold ... ... ... ... ... 19
* Mary's " Ortha." Another Version ... ... ... 21
*A fragrant prayer ... ... ... ... ... 23
* King of the Friends ... ... ... .. ... 25
* King of the Wounds ... ... .. .. 25
* I lie down with God ... ... ... ... 27
* May I lie with God ... ... ... ... ... 29
* The Bed blessing ... ... ... ... ... 31
* I stretch myself ... ... ... ... ... 33
* I stretch me down ... ... ... ... ... 33
* In the Name of the Father ... ... ... ... 35
* O blessed Virgin ... ... ... ... ... 37
* I lie down with Thee 0 Jesus ... ... ... 39
* I lie down with God ... ... ... ... 41
2066164
Le AC An 46
*L«i3i!D Aft mo CAOtb -ocAf ... ... ... ... 40
*luijim pop ... ... .. ... ... 40
tiriACC eAt)DAttit> ... ... ... ... ... 42
*ttlAii luijim ... ... .. .. ... 42
*A tflAigtieAn beAnnuijce ... ... ... ... 44
*Coinsli5im AH ceine peo ... ... ... .. 40
*Coi5lij;im An ceine feo .. ... ... ... 48
*An .ft. con. (coip eiLe) ... ... ... ... 48
*Coi5tim An ceine feo ... ... ... ... 50
SniAlAi-6 mipe An ceine ... ... .. ... 50
*SCACC bpAfO|ieACA ... . ... ... ... 50
*An .$. ct>n. (coip eite) ... .. . .. ... 52
*pAit>m |toim AipccAji .. ... ... ... 54
*OJ»CA AnAJAit) "Otioc-puiLe ... ... ... ... 54
*5Juix)im Ain^eAt T>eAf 'Oe ... ... ... .. 56
*OpcA AnAJAi-o HA Si'oeos ... ... ... ... 56
*OpcA AnAJAi-6 An T)oi5-Fi4C.\t ... ... ... 58
*An fi. cvn. ... ... ... ... ... ... 58
An -p. ct>n ... ... ... ... ... ... 58
*OHCA 1T1A5A1-6 ... ... ... ... ... 6C
OpcA ATI CjtiucA ... ... ... ... ... 62
OficA An 6]ieACA ... ... ... ... .. 62
OftcA T)eit> .. ... .. ... ... 62
OJICA rhuijie (coip eite) ... ... ... ... 64
*pAi-oifi i nx>iAix> An CobAic ... ... ... ... 66
"sgeAl An An cob AC ... ... .~ ... 68
OptA ette ... ... ... ... ... ... 70
OfitA t>o ttlnAOi ... ... ••• ... ... 72
*beAnnuJA-6 An ttro ... ... ... ... ... 72
*beAnnu5ATi) CAJI eip bnb ... ... .. ... 72
*A t)Ainnio5Ain nA bptAiieAp ... ... ... ... 74
*A rhuifie "Oitir ... .. ... ... ... 74
*Se -oo beACA A rhut)ie . ... ... ... ... 76
*A tflACAifi beAnnuijce ... ... ... ... 76
*A lopA ... ... ... ... ... ... 76
'•Olije T>e ... ... ... ... ... ... 76
*5|iAfCA An SpiOftAit) riAoitii ... ... ... ... 78
*T)An PCA-OAIH Seoige no "Ait;nj;e An cSe6ij; " ... 78
*c6rhn<v£ it)in bemc seAn-riinAOj ... ... 98
Page
* I lay me down on my right side ... ... ... 41
* I lie down ... ... ... 41
Edward's Testament ... .. 43
* As I lie ... ... ... 43
* Blessed Virgin ...... 45
* I save this fire to-night ... 47
* With the staff of the Sons of Patrick ... 49
* I save this fire. Another Version . . 49
* The Same. A Cork Version ... ... 51
* The Same. A Highland Version .. ... ... 51
* Seven Prayers ... ... . . ... 51
* The Same. Another Version... ... ... ... 53
* A prayer before a journey ... .. ... ... 55
'Charm against an Evil Eye ... ... ... ... 55
* I pray God's Right-hand Angel ... ... ... 57
* Charm against Fairies ... ... ... ... 57
* Tooth-ache charm ... ... ... ... ... 59
* The Same. Another Version ... ... ... ... 59
* The Same. Another Version ... ... .. ... 59
•The Same. A Mock Charm ... ... ... 61
A whooping cough charm ... ... ... ... 63
A charm agiinst Trembling or ague .. .. ... 63
A Tooth charm ... ... ... ... ... 63
Mary's " ortha " (another version) ... ... ... 65
* Prayer after tobacco ... ... . . ... • 67
* A STORY OF THE TOBACCO PRAYER 69
Another charm ... ... ... . . ... 71
A charm for a worn MI ... ... ... ... 73
* A grace before meat ... . ... ... 73
* A grace after meat ... ... ... ... ... 73
* 0 thou Queen of the Heavens ... ... ... 75
* Thou, Mary ... ... .. ... ... 75
* All hail to Thee Mary ... ... ... ... 77
* 0 Blessed Mother ... ... ... ... 77
* 0 Jesus ... ... ... ... . ... 77
* The Law of God ... 77
* The graces of the Holy Ghoat . ... ... 79
* The Joyce's Repentenoe ... ... ... ... 87
•Story: A DIALOGUE BETWEEN TWO WOMEN ... 99
B
te AC An AC
: An inmiscem 45115 An s^sun ... ... no
*CAomeAX> AN AH gCAtA-o CACAC
*Ciioit>e-bfiu5A-6 ... ... ... ... ••• 120
*tli CuAtAit* CluAf
*sseAt: An niAC I6i$inn T>'£A5 An ColAisce ... 122
*sseAt: triAC An ttitmscem... ... ... ... 134
*T>An tflic ATI tflinipceit» ••• ••• ••• 1^')
Ujimnje Coicctonn ... ... ... ... ... 1-4-4
*beAntiAcc T)e ... ••• ••• ••• ••• 150
*A-6tACA-6 TopA. ("Din An 6oilt§) ... ... ... 152
*T)'eifii5 An -DA tfluifie ... ... ... ... 158
*A rhuijie nA n5|iAp ... ... .., ... ... 160
An SAJAJIC CAx>5 O UUAIJIC .. ... ... ... 162
*An CAipit>eAC t)An, no An bpAic^iin t>uAiT)eA^cA ... 170
*S5eAi: An SASARC T)O CuAit) An mme ... ... 178
*£Ailce A rtiACAift ... .. .. ... ... 188
" neAtnhnuAitt " Af An Mop SpiOfiAT>At,CA ... ... 194
*beAnnAcc An SgAbAil ... ... ... ... 200
*T)An HA LeAptA ... ... ... ... ... 202
*pAi-oi|t nA h-Oix>ce ... ... ... ... .. 204
*5loiti A ACAIJI ... ... ... ... ... 204
An teAbAtt) peo ... .. ... ... 203
Ap t)uic-pe ... ... ... ... 208
An ft. ctm. (coip eite) ... ... ... ... 208
*pAroift An rSeipeit ... ... ... ... 210
*An |t. c-on. (coip o COJICAIJ;) ... ... ... 210
*AS pA5bv\il SeipeiL .. ... .. ... ... 212
*An ^. c-on. (coip eite) ... ... ... ... 212
SCA -oo Suite ... ... ... ... ... 214
*An fi. c-on. (coip eite) ... ... -... ... 214
*6itti5im puAp .. .. ..? ... ... 216
*Ceitfie coiimettt ... .. ... ... ... 216
*An p. c-on. (coip eite) . ... ... ... ... 216
T)iA h-Aome ... ... ... ... ... 218
*tYlotAT> J^toiji Ajup Onoiji ... ... ... ... 220
T>An Onace not>tA5 ... ... ... ... 224
*<5 t)un nA C;ioice ... ... ... ... ... 226
*T)o nAoth pAt>HAi^ ... ... ... ... ... 228
p'jitnne nA peinne ... ... ..; ... ... 223
[ vii ]
* Story: THE MINISTER AND THE GOSSOON ... Ill
* The keene of the Caladh Catach ... ... .. 117
•Contrition ... ... .. ... ... 121
* Ear never heard ... ... ... ... .. 121
•Story: THE STUDENT WHO LEFT COLLEGE ... 123
* Story : THE MINISTER'S SON 135
* The Dan of tho Minister's Son ... . ... 141
A General Prayer ... ... ... ... ... 145
* God's blessing ... ... ... ... ... 151
* The Burial of Jesus ; or the Poem of the Cock ... ... 153
* Uprose tho Two Mirya ... ... ... ... 159
* 0 Mary of Graces ... ... ... ... ... 161
The Priest Teig O Ruairc ... ... ... .. 163
* The Fair-haired Cissidy or The Troubled Friar ... 171
* Story : THE MAD PRIEST 179
* Welcome 0 Mother ... ... .. ... 189
" Neamhnuaill " out of the " Spiritual Rose " ... . . 195
* The Blessing of the Scapular ... .. 201
* The Bed Dan ... ... ... 203
* A Night Prayer ... ... ... ... 205
* Glory to Father and to Son ... ... .. 205
* I make this bed ... ... ... ... 207
* A version of the Sah'e Regina ... ... ... 207
The Same. Another Version ... ... .. ... 20£
* The ehapel Prayer ... ... ... ... ... 211
* The Same. A Cork Version ... ... .. .. 211
* Prayer on leaving chapel .. ... ... .. 213
* The Same. Another Version ... ... ... 213
* When your eyes shall be shutting ... .. . 215
* The Same. Auother Version ... ... ... . . 215
* I rise up ... ... .. ... ... ... 217
* Four Corners ... ... .. ... ... 217
* Four Posts ... ... ... ... ... 217
On Friday ... ... ... ... ... ... 219
* Glory and Honour ... ... ... ... ... 221
A Christmas Hymn ... ... ... ... ... 225
* From the foot of the Cross ... ... ... ... 227
* To Saint Patrick ... ... ... ... ... 229
The Truth of the Fenians 229
te AC An AC
cloch nA pi 111 n ne, no ceAnmnoe IVA
... ... ... ... ... 230
... ... ... ... ... '242
*O}ICA AnAJAi-o nA n'OAome lYlAice ... ... .. 254
*CeAccAiiie 6 "6iA ... ... ... ... .. 254
*O A tijeAjtnA -oo piAnAX) ... ... ... ... 2.33
SlAtnce ... ... ... ... ... ... 2-56
*11A h-AtTiAjtc ... ... ... ••• ••• 256
*S56Al: SOAnCuS At! SOlAinll ... ... ... 258
*mAltAcc An TUtU, ... ... ... ... ... 268
*tr)AllAcc UAipcetii ... ... ... ••• •-. 270
t>|iuAX>Aft, Smioc A'f gtmn — mAllAcc ... 274
*Sseilin : AH 11A T)AOinit) tTIAlte .. ... ... 288
*An tDAf ... ... ... - ... ... 288
OpcA •oo-cum TIA ttlAij'oine mui^e . . ... ... 292
An SIOCA 'f A lilACAin ... ... ... ... 296
sseAl: cuio6 -o^iseAnnAC An -ouine AS A nibi
T>U06-t»eACA ... ... ... ... ... 318
*SeACC Subiilcioe nA tVlAijnine ... ... ... 348
*Ut\nuije 1 ntJiAix) An pAit)i]iin p.Mjicii;
*pAoifit>in nA 1/eApcAn (coip eil,e) ... ... ... 352
*UmUii5mfo ... ... ... ... ... .... 352
'SlAince ... .. ... ... ... ... 356
*UAt T»9 A5Uf t)AlL pAt)jAA15 ... ... ... ... 356
*A rhACAifi tJeAnnuigce ... ... ... ... 358
*CeAt> pAil/ce RomAT) ... ... ... ... 358
*sseAt: niAu -QO cnutuigeAt) An CSATD CAC ... 300
*A iopA ... ... ... ... ... ... 366
*A ColAnti ... ... ... ... ... ... 386
*An Cl»iufi if Sine ... ... ... ... ... 366
... ... ... ... ... 358
"OiA ... ... ... ... ... 368
*Ap Son nA lTlA|tft ... ... ... ... ... 372
*tA An 15peiceAmnAir ... ... ... ... ... 374
*Sinim-pe ... ... ... ... ... ... 378
*AipiT> An t>tiAoini'n ••• ••• ••• ••• ••• ^80
*Coip eile ... 380
*O|itA CorjtA polA ... 3SO
*Coip eile ... ... ... •* ••• ••• 382
L ix J
Page
* Story: THE STONE OF TRUTH or THE MER-
CHANT OF THE SEVEN BAGS 231
An Irish Litany ... ... ... ... ... 2-43
* A charm against the good people ... ... ... 255
* A messenger from God ... ... ... ... 255
* 0 Lord who didst suffer ... ... ... ... 257
* The Health 257
* Look not with Pride ... ... ... ... 257
* Story : A TALE OF SOLOMON ... ... ... 259
* The blind man's curse ... ... ... ... 269
* Raftery's curse ... ... ... ... ... 271
Bruadar Smith and Glinn. A curse ... ... .. 275
* Short Story : THE GOOD PEOPLE 289
* The Death ... ... ... ... ... 289
* A Prayer to tho Virgin Mary ... ... ... 2i)3
The Lout and his mother ... ... ... ... 297
Story : THE LAST END OF THE MAJSf WHO LEADS
A BAD LIFE 319
* The Seven Comforts of the Virgin ... ... ... 349
* Prayer after the Paidirin Pairteach .. ... .. 353
The Bed Confession (another version) ... ... 353
* We do obeisance ... ... .. ... ... 355
* A Health let us drink ... ... ... ... 357
* The luck of God and prosperity of Patrick ... ... 357
* 0 Blessed Mary ... ... ... ... ... 357
* A hundred welcomes ... ... ... ... 359
* Story : HOW THE FIRST CAT WAS CREATED ... 801
* To Jesus and Mary ... ... ... ... ... 3G7
* 0 Body remember ... ... ... ... ... 367
* May the three who are oldest ... ... ... 3G7
* I lay me down ... ... ... ... ... 369
* God help the foolish sinner ... ... ... .. 369
* For the Dead ... ... ... ... ... 373
* The Judgment Day ... ... ... ... 375
* I stretch ... ... ... ... ... ... 379
* The little drop char, n ... ... ... ... 381
* The same. Another version ... ... ... 381
* A charm for stopping blood ... ... ... ... 38i
* The bamo. Another version ... ... .. 38;>
*Op.rA i n.AJAi-6 Cinnip nA bpACAt ... .. ... 382
*pAix>iji te fiAt) AS t)teAJAn t)6 ... .. ... 382
*bfiioti5l6fo poit ... ... .. .. ... 384
*pAit>i)i te UAT) AS "OeAtiAth -AfiAin ... ... .. 384
*pAn>ift TIA Ceipe ... ... ... .. ... 384
OJICA i n-AJAni HA h-AcmA ... ... ... ... 386
i n-4JAi-6 riA ti-AcmA (coip ette) ... ... 38S
Cinnif An TDtiomA ... ... ... ... 388
nA bpACAt (coip eite) ... ... ... 390
^DiA t>o OeACA A Cuijip CfiiofCA ... ... ... 392
*T)1A -DO t)eACA (coip eite) ... ... ... ... 392
*A flAorii itluitie ... ... ... ... ... 394
*A -Amgit tlAfAit ... ... ... ... ... 394
*Ctii pttce ... ... ... ... ... ... 396
*OftCA An SgAbAit ... ... ... ... ... 396
*'Se poctfAtn pocttAm ... ... ... ... 398
*PAIXM|I ifiott PAI-OI^ ^ffo ... ... ... ... 400
*-Atcuj;A-6 i nt)iAi-6 nA ComAotne ... ... ... 400
*A mj nA Cpuinne ... ... ... ... ... 402
*CorAC ... 402
*lr thJAine ... ... ... ... ... ... 404
*1rnceocAn:> An •fionn6ij;in
*lmte6cAi-6 A ^ciucfAi-o ... ... ... ... 406
T*
Page
* Another charm against tooth-ache ... ... ... 383
* The prayer on milking a cow .. ... ... 383
* Paul's Dream ... ... ... ... ••• 385
* A Prayer on making bread ... ... ... ... 385
* The Kesh prayer ... ... ... ... ... 385
Charm against Farcy ... ... ... ... 387
Another charm against Farcy ... ... ... 389
Chaim against back-ache ... ... ... ... 389
Another Tooth-ache charm ... ... ... ... 391
* All hail to Thee 0 Body of Christ ... ... ... 393
* All hail to Thee Mary ... 393
*O Mary Mother ... ... ... ... ... 395
* 0 Angel high-born ... ... ... ... ... 395
* Three folds in my garment ... ... ... ... 397
* The " Ortha " of the Scapular ... ... ... 397
* 'Tis the Hacking and Racking ... ... ... 399
* A Low prayer, a High prayer ... .. ... 401
* Thanksgiving after Communion ... .. ... 401
* 0 King of the World 403
* The first of a Ship , ... .. ... ... ... 403
*More lasting ... ... ... ... .. 405
* The little grey scaldcrow ... ... ... ... 405
* Who came have gone ... ... ... ... 407
AS f° SiocA tieAtti-gnAtAC CA jvim-toeAs coptiuit teif An t>pAiT)ij\ 5eAl> t)O FUA1F An c-AtAijv e<5$An O SftAifmA i n-lnif-rheAtion Ajunn ; f 6|\c corhf.At> 6 iT>ift An c-uj-OAjx Ajup qiiup oilitf.eAC. tli 'I Ann blo-6
An cniuu
"50 tnbeAtirmiji'o T)IA -oAoib A tftiuiji "50 mbeAnnu 151-6 "OiA Ajuf fnuijie "CA bpuit fib AJ -out Anoip" ?
"AS t>ut 30 StiAb HA n-Olui-oeA-o t)Ainc otui'6 "oe c-pomn."
Cui^e tib* A*f CUJAI-O lib i,
An olAtin if peA|t|t -oo jeobAi-6 fib,
An olAnn ft/An cAOjiAii
Cojif-uiji-o 'f nA ceiiiji-o
'S nA lAf-jiAijit) CA-OA [•OA'OAITI] T)'A cionn.
fo junn beA5 o rhnAoi Af 5°rc Ititif6 5t1A1re tiA 54iU,iriie.
50 bpOmnO T>IA.
50 bfonn-o T)IA Af An bpeACAC bocc
A bit)eAf 1 gconinui-oe AJ -out Af fcf A6 HuAif 6ifij;eAnn fe Af mAiT)in
ni Af A tijeAfnA cuimmjeAnn fe. ;^i cei-6eAnn fe coix>ce 61115 Aipfionn
no AS eifceAcc bfiACf A T>e, Ace 50 bfASATO fe An fAO5At fo
tTlo t,eun ! CA f ACAIX> fe.
* tAbAifceAf An fOCAt fo tnAf "h«5Atib," ni cmnce me cionnuf
1 There seems to be a confusion here between da/tin, wool, genitive olla, and clluidh an olive, and again in the word caorach "of a sheep" which is also ambiguous, so that instead of ' ' sound sheep's wool " " sound berry-clustering [caor-ac/tl olives " may be intended.
Here is an unusual piece that is rather like the " White Prayer," which Father O'Growney found in Inismaan in Aran ; it is a sort of dialogue between the author and three pilgrims ; it is only a small fragment.
THE THREE FRIARS.
" God save you, ye three friars." " God and Mary save you." " Where are ye going now?"
" Going to the Mount of Olives Picking olives from trees."
Off with you and bring it with you,
The best wool ye shall get
The sound sheep wool.1
Stir [yourselves] and do not hide [it].
And ask ye nothing for it.
Here is a small rann from a woman from Gort in the County Galway.
THE FOOLISH SINNER.
God help the foolish sinner,
He always go astray, He rises up in the morning
But prays not with the day. Mass he has long forsaken
Forgotten how to pray, Where shall he go when Death shall come
And he leaves the world, for aye.2
2 Literally : God relieve the poor sinner who is always going astray, when he rises up in the morning it is not his Lord he remembers. He never goes to Mass or listening to the words of God, but when (?) he shall leave this world, my grief ! where shall he go.
4
^5 f° P^I'OIjtftl t)6A5 Cie TOO C
i n'Oun nA ngAll Ag«f T>O CuAlAit) An C-AUAIJ\ O 5PAfilflA -^5 fe^n-pe^f 1 scon-OAe tongpuific. "Outi- f ixvo 50 fiAiti " UiAtfAt) " no to$A f e^Cc
's me x\n 'S me An C|teAcu|i LAJ; PAOI «AtA6 cjiotn
Ace At»nivii5im Cjiei-oeAni *Oe 50 te st1^ mo c|toi-6e A'f te O coif choice jtAo-OAim
lIT) (sic) lOfA A}1 t)Cl5eAfttlA ctAOnAI^ AIIUAf.
AS fo uj\nui$e eite -oe nA n-uptiAi$tit> ACA te le tmn An Aip|Mnn. "puAi^ An tiAtAnAC 6 6 jteAnn nA-mAg-T)ut> 1 gcon-OAe nA
bnonnAitn
t)l\onr>Aim m'AnAtn -ouic-fe A jtij TIA
A'f 50 b|iAt tiAji teiji-o cu me AJI Aip, A fiAX>n«ife feo o^tr-fA A ttlAij-oeAn tieAnnuijte gu|i cuiji me fein m'AnAm A^I t/Aim x>o mic ; A jnuip if jite 'nA An jjiiAn me 1 bpAt) 1 bpiAn.
An peACAC AJ; 5lAo-6A6 A|\ f:iA-6n«ife r\A 1 niof me 'nA Aon piofA. AS f o An fniAomeArh ceAT>nA mA^ puAif An "pAtAjx- CA6 1 5ConAtriA|tA 6, glAcrO feifeAn OJ\CA itlui^e A1|\,
'""OA meAt>," niA-ft fUAiji An gfiAriinviijeAc e, ACC ni -peicim A ciAtt fin.
1 Literally : I am the weak creature under a heavy load, and the amount of my sin is repented of by me. But I acknowledge the
Here is another short little prayer which Mr. Lyons heard in Donegal and which Father O'Growney heard from an old man in the County Longford. They said that there was an indulgence of seven years with it.
WEAKLY I GO.
Weakly I go from the load within,
Deeply repenting with woe my sin.
I acknowledge the faith of my God this day
With love from my heart and with hope alway,
From the foot of Thy cross I call to Thee
0 Jesus Lord, bow down to me.1
Here is another one of those prayers which are to be said during Mass. Mr. Lyons got it from some one who came from Glenamaddy in the County Galway.
I BESTOW THEE MY SOUL.
1 bestow thee my soul 0 Thou King of graces And let it not fall out of Thy control,
Bear witness 0 Blessed Virgin Mary In the hands of thy Son do I lay my soul, Countenance brighter than the sun Shield me from pain when the race is run.2
We see the sinner calling the Virgin Mary to witness in more than one piece. Here is the same thought as Mr. Faherty got it in Connemara. He called it "Mary's Ortha,"
faith of God for ever, w*th the love of my heart and with true hope. From the foot of the cross upward, through Jesus our Lord I call, bow down [to hear me]. In Donegal they say "friom "for " trlom."
2 Literally : I bestow my soul on Thee 0 King of the graces, and mayest Thou not let me back [from Thee] lor ever, the witness of this on thee [i.e., I call thee to witness this] O Blessed Virgin, that I myself have placed my soul on the hand of thy Son. O countenance brighter th in the sun, do not sufler me [to be] long in pain !
6
ACC 111 Aft A-n bpAi-oift feo ArhA'in ACA An c-Ainm
fin.
out A rh time.
A ittuifie A mACAifi An 7115
T)eAn mo f-iotcAn te t>o tfiAC, A jnuip ip gite 'HA ATI jfiiAn
HA putAinj me i bpiAn 1 t>j.\vo. bjiontiAim m'AriAm -ouic IO^A Cjiiofc
A'f 50 bjtAU 111 IAflflpA-0 6 Ajlif,
A fiAT»nviife o|ic-fA A ttlAij-oeAn ttlui]ie
me m'AnAm A|( tAitii -oo mic.
fo pxMt)if\ eite te |AAt>, le Lmn An Aipfvirm, "oo o "btune ^f 5^e^t1n T)einceAi\ i An cAiUf .
-A 1OSA.
A 1OJTA "DO CU1J1
Ann -pA 50 lionAi-6 cu mo cfioi-oe
te 5|iAfcAib "Oe, "Do tug cu mAiceAmnAf
T)o ttA mitdft -OA'!! fAotjtAij co go fAojiAij' cu m'AnAm
Ap 3-Ac peACAx> X)'A nxieAnnA me.
X\5 fo pAiT)i|\in t)e'n cfofc ceA-onA A6c ni mgiin CIA «Ait) pUAifeAf e.
A nij nA tiAome.
A Uij nA h-Aome
T)o fin no jeujA A-p An jc^ioic, A tiijeAftnA Ai|i A|i (?) futAinj c«
nA mitce 'fnA ceAt)CA toe.
1 Literally : 0 Mary mother of the King make my peace with thy Son, 0 countenance brighter than the sun do not suffer ine [to
(prayer, or charm), but it is not the only prayer that is called by this name.
MARY'S "ORTHA."
0 Mary mother of our king
Make with thy blessed Son, my peace, Countenance brighter than the sky Let me not sigh without release.
1 give, and for ever, my soul to Jesus, And heaven henceforth is my only goal,
Bear witness 0 Blessed Virgin Mary
That I lay on the hands of thy Son my soul.1
Here is another prayer to be said during the Mass which Mr. Lyons heard from some one from Glenamaddy in the County Gal way. It is said when the priest raises the
chalice.
THE SACRAMENT'S GRACE.
The sacrament's grace
Thou hast made and willed, May my heart in its place
With that grace be filled. Thou has, forgiven
Thousands of souls earned by thee, Let not my soul
For its sin and its shame be spurned by thee.
Here is another little prayer of the same sort, but I do not remember from whom I got it.
O KING OF THE FRIDAf.
O King of the Friday
Vv'hose limbs were stretched on the cross, O Lord who didst suffer
The bruises, the wounds, the loss,
be] long in pain. I bestow my soul upon Thee 0 Jesus Christ, and I shall not ask it again for ever, I call thee to witness, 0 Virgin Mary, that I have set my soul upon the hand of thy Son.
8
Sinimi-o
-oi-oionn x>o fjeice 5° fSAt*A1S cu ojtjiAinn cof.A-6 An c|ionn A\\ ceufAt) Atft TIO copp.
Hi 't .Aon AIC i n-6ipinn te F^gxMt innci. Ag fo may -oo 66$Ati O gt^^^j; i 6 tjeul -oume i n-Ajumn TTloifv.
AI sling ttiume.
"An fUAn fin o^ic A TTIACAIII feeAnntujce " P "tli h-eAt> A tnic, Adc Aiftinj." "CiA FAC c' Aiflinje A tnAiAift " ?
CA mAC "Oe •O'A f5iu|tfAx> X)'A pu l-e fopAib CAotA cnAibe -oo pofCAiti cto6. An cfteAJ ninie AJ x>ut cjiix) A CAOit), -An c|i6in fpioncA AJ t>«t cpit) A ceAnn, CAijin5iT>e mAotA Ag T)«t Ann A cofAib, A cuix) fotA beAnnuijce T^'A •OOJICAX) p^oi cLocAib nA fftAix>e."
"If mAic c' Aifling A tfiACAifi. tli'L Aon T)uine •oeAfijM'6 c' Aiftinj r|ii h-uAipe A$ -out, i bpAif-co'OAtcA nA h-oix>ce -66, Ajt t>AOJAt [x»6] -opoc-Aiftinj nA piAncA ipjimn Ajtif 50
AS fo n\A\\ CtMtAiti mo £A^A 66m tTl^c tieitt 6 •oume xx
rhume. (Coip etle).
"An co'otA'6 fin ope A iriACAif,"? "tit li-eA'o ACC Aiftmj A niic nA pAife." "CiA An Aiftinj A mACAtf " ?
9
We stretch ourselves
Beneath the shield of thy might, May some fruit from the tree of thy passion
Fall on us this night !
There is no part of Ireland in which " Mary's Vision " is not to be found. Here is how Father Eugene O'Growney wrote it down from the mouth of some one in Aran M6r.
MARY'S VISION.
" Is that slumber that is on thee, O Blessed Mother?"
"It is not, Son, but a vision."
" What is the cause of thy vision, 0 Mother?"
" Because the Son of God is being scourged, being punished, With narrow ropes of hemp to posts of stone, The spear of venom going through His side, The crown of thorns going through His head, Blunt nails going into His feet,
His share of blessed blood being poured on the stones of the street."
" Good is thy vision, 0 Mother. There is no person who shall say thy vision three times on his going into the night's sleep-passion, to whom an evil vision or the pains of hell are a peril again for ever."
Here is how my friend John HacNeill heard it from some one ia Innismaan.
MARY'S VISION. [Another Version.]
" Is that sleep that is on thee, O Mother ? " "It is not, but a vision, O Son of the passion." " What is the vision, 0 Mother?"
10
cu Aj -oo 1*5111 jtp Ait, AS -oo ptucAil AS "00 ceAngAit te piteAp; ctoc, AS -oo ceupA-6 A'P AS -oo p:6-ceup,v6, T)o euro p.otA bpeAj; beA
'tlA pftOCAnAlb 50 tAtAITI
An tpteAS nime -O'A CAiceAtii po •oo -oeif." " Hi 't Aon -ouine rois^eA-o c' Aift-ms A *S A -oeA*ipA-6 i cjii h-uAi^e fut, coT)locA-6 A|i bAosAt, -oo Aon fo-o -oe -OUCAIS 1p|iiTin peiceAt, 50 b}iAt, TIA Aon *O|ioc-toif5 tADAijtc Af Aiftins."
mo CAfA, tiAC rnxMj\eAtin, pAt)|tAi5 O An jbAfoifx CeA-otiA 1 sCopcAij.
Aisting rhtime. (Coip eile o CO^CAIS).
"An AT)' CO-olAX) CAO1 A TT1AtA1|1 '' ? "til Vl-CAXt A SJIAX) Sit,
Ace AS Aiftins ACAim-pe,
gO bpuit An 1T1A|1CAC CAOt, t)«O
As«f An eAC CAot, -oonn ASUJ* An cfteAs Ann A T)eAf-tAirii te cup c|te CAob A|
A5«f A CUIt) 7?
1/6 X»6}1CA-6 A1T1A]1AC."
1p piop pin A riiAtAi]i CA pi te •oopcA'6 AmApAC."
An te 50 mbei-oeA-6 An Atptins pin Aise, AS«P i fA'o AJI A tufoe "nA teAbAix>-p«Ain -06, seobAi-6 pe neAtn , AS«P ni peicpix> pe ipjuonn puA^i 50 bpiAt."
1f PA-OA An c-AifceAf o AjxAinn 50 CopcAig Aguf 6 CopCAij 50 -oci Apt) 1TIA6A i gCuig UlAt), Ate c<J Aitne Ap cufo iti6ip t>e nA piof Ait> DeAgA fo Ann f
11
" That Thou wast being scourged, being smothered, Being bound to a pillar of stone, Being tortured, being very-tortured, Thy share of line blessed blood In streams to the ground with Thee. The spear of venom being thrown into Thy right side."
"There is no person who would take [with him by heart] thy vision, 0 Mother, and who would say it three times before he would sleep, who is in dangor of seeing one sod of the estate of Hell for ever, or of bringing out of his [night] visions any evil-consequence."
My friend, the late Patrick O'Leary, found the same prayer in Cork.
MARY'S VISION. [4 Cork Version}. " Is it in thy sleep thou art, 0 Mother ?"
"It is not, 0 bright Love, But with a vision I am, That the narrow black horseman [comes], And the narrow brown steed And the red spear In his right hand,
To put through the side of our Lord, And His share of noble blood To pour forth to-morrow."
" That is true, 0 Mother. It is to be poured forth to-morrow."
" And he who would have this vision, and to say it three times on lying down in his couch of slumber, will receive heaven without foot-moving, and he shall not see cold Hell for ever."
It is a long journey from Aran to Cork, and from Cork to Armagh in Ulster, but a great number of these small
12
Aic •o'Bifurm A bpuit AT\ tjAetteitg T)'A tAbAiju; mtici, Ajup i n-AiceACAit> 1 n-AU>Ainn tnAf\ fo niAf £UA1|\ tno 6AfA ATI fgotAip An LAoiT>eAC, -ATI furo ceAt)nA 6 £eAp Af ATI te
tiume. (Coip eite, o ^i
X)O COT)tA-6 tu, A tVlAtAll " ?
"O! CA npuit*Acc i n-Aiftmg ACA me 4 riiic,"
"5° "OC ATI A1f1/ir>5 A ITIACAIjt " ?
-out) A ci-oirn AJ ceAcc, A fteAJ t)Aftfi-cAot ^eir ATlt1 te h-AJAix* -oo cviix)-fe fotA beAiinuijce leijeAn
A 1T)AA1|t
CA-JI tiiifce T)o'n rfAojAt A jiA'6,
tli't neAc, fi]i tiA tniiA,
*O'A troeA-ppAiT) e JAC CJIAC
A -ocei-o A n-AtiAtn 50 h-ipjuonn 30 b|iAC."
AS f o pAi*oit\ tiA rnAiT)ne ACA ACA i 5CotiAtnA|\A 1 n-AiceA(iAitt eite. 'puAiji AH potAt\CA6 6 -Ouine i n-lAi\-JAittirh T, Aguf CuAtAf pem ATI f\UT>
5cont)Ae Uof comAin.
uoit -oe.
Coit "Oe 50 tToeAtiAmAoit)
Aji n-Ancoit fein 50 fmAcctn^mfo,
SpiAn te n-A|i -oceAnjAi-o 50 5cui|iinii-o,
An Aic-pije iftACATTiAit S° ntieAn
Ap pAif frpiorc 50 fmuAinimi-o,
SAC coi|i peACAi-6 50 fe
HA c-piocA T>eijeAnnACA 50
*t)ei|i fiAt) "chA" 1 sCuij tll/AX) 50 mime 1 n-Aic "ni." If — " CA nfuit " A^uf " ni bpuit" no "nt't."
13
pieces are recognised in every place in Ireland in which Irish is spoken, and in places in Scotland also. Here is how my friend, that ever-active scholar, Mr. Lloyd, found the same piece from a man from Lislea near Camlough in the County Armagh.
MARY'S VISION. [An Armagh Version.} " In thy sleep art thou, 0 Mother?" " Oh ! it is not, but in a vision I am, 0 Son." " What is the vision, Mother?"
" A long black man I see coming, And his slender-topped spear with him in his hand, To let to the ground Thy share of blessed blood."
" True is thy dream, Mother,
Know this the world can Who says it, child or man, Of any creed or clan Is free from Hell's black ban."
Here is a morning prayer which they have in Connemara and other places. Mr. Faherty got it from some person in West Galway, and I heard the same myself in the County Roscomuion.
The will of God be done by us, The law of God be kept by us, Our evil will controlled by us, Our tongue in check be held by ua, Repentance timely made by us, Christ's passion understood by us, Each sinful crime be shunned by us, Much on the End be mused by us,
14
bAp beAnnuijce 30 Ceot nA n-Ainjiotl 50 jcUimimi-o, AS motA-6 T)e 50 t,e tmn nA
50 T>if\eAC An pAi-otp C6A-OHA ACA Ann 5leAnncAib 1 n'Oun-nA-n^All, t)o fs i, x\5«f pUAij\fe tei n^ tince eile
HA ftAitif 50
1 -ocobAjt 5pApcA nA
50 nijmi'o firm fein,
fhuijie
beAnn\njce 50 fiAt>mAOit>; pAfix>un 50 bfA^Ai'D fi -ouinn 1 n-1omtAn A
Afl t>pAlttlje.
AS fo pAfoipin be^s r\A m-Ai-one -oe'n cf 6pc •oo puAij\ -An ti.AtAn.A6 6 tteut *oume Af Contue Cij\-
A "6e 'f A ttlAistJeAn tTHupe *Oo tuj ftAti me p6m 'f mo
6 bAf COT)tACA Ajieijl
Cum An t/Ae jit Anx>iu, 50 •ocujAit) Sib ftAn muix) [i.e. pnn] O JAC wile jAbA-o 'S 50 fAbAilit) Sib muiT) 6'rt cojip.
An pocAl fin " bAf co-otACA " 1 6A5fArhlA. 1f "pAif Co-otACA" 1 n-AjAAmn e, An c-AtAi|\ O 5tuuflirA15 t-iom, Ajuf if " mAi IAUA" 1 n-^te^titi Cotumcitte 6. bionn f.Aic6iof n\6\\ AJA nA •oAomib |\oirh bAf fAgAit Ajuf IA*O
15
And Death be blessed found by us. With Angels' music heard by us, And God's high praises sung to us For ever and for ayo. 1
They have exactly the same prayer in the Glenties, in County Donegal, Mr. Lyons wrote it down, and found along with it these other lines.
The heavens may we gain,
In the well of the grace of confession
May we wash ourselves.
Amongst the Ladies of Mary Mother
Of the blessed Scapular may we be,
Pardon may she get for us
For the entire of our thought*,
Our words, our deeds, .
And our omissions.
Here is a little morning prayer of the same nature which Mr. Lyons got from the mouth of a man in the County Tyrone.
O God, and 0 Virgin Mary,
Who have brought me and my children safe
From the death-of-sleep last-night,
To the bright dawn to-day,
May Ye bring us safe
From every single danger,
And may Ye save us from the enemy
Both body and sotd.
"We find this word " death of sleep " in different forms. It is " passion of sleep " in Aran, Father O'Growney tells me, and it is mdis-codlata? in Glencol urn kill. The people are very much terrified at the idea of dying in their sleep, and
1 This translation is almost in the original unrhyniect metre and ia BO nearly literal that the piece requires no other.
• Apparently a corruption of " pdw-codlata,': "passion of tleep."
16
ti-oitxie ibumn " no "50 loctiSAni T)M tu 6
n.A ti-oi-6Ce " i n-Aic "oitxie tfuviC t>tnc " "oo
AS f o uf\nui5e-n.4-mAi1one eite 6 otroAS An •oo f5fiot> A
JAC VA cujAttin SACjiAtneiT) nA h-Aic|ii5e A'f 50 neAjiuuijit) T)IA tmn, m' AtiAtn A^I -oo coitniiije A
O 1 A "OlA, A ACAIf 'f A
T)ibiji JAC fmunAinceATi
t)i 'n A|t •o-citnciott 'n &\( tufoe -ouinti,
'tl Ap fCAfAril A'f 'n A|l fUAtl,
t)i 'n A]i n-inticinr> ^i An
f° P-Ait)it\ t»e^5 rhilif nx\ m^ittne o
T>e
'S -D'A^ fAbAitc Afiif 50 xijt coitnjiije "Oe A' ttlic T)UAC A'f rflic CoVum-CiVle |iif 30
.1.
1 Literally : Help and friends and grace from G od to us, help every day to us, and I am seeking for it. Yhe Sacrament of Penance and God strengthen us, My soul under thy protection, 0 Mary Lady,
0 God, 0 Father, and 0 Lamb, banish from me every accursed
it is often that " Health of the night's sleep to us," or " God bring you from the night's sleep-passion," is said instead of " good night to you."
Here is another morning prayer from the County Clare, which the same Mr. Lyons wrote down.
HELP AND FRIENDS.
Help for as, friends for us, help and God's graces, Help I ain asking in all bad places, May the Sacrament " Penance" make bright our faces, And Maty our Lady protect us and gra^e us.
Jesus, Father, Lamb, I pray
Drive each evil thought away,
Be with mo 'till break of day,
In my sleep and on my way.
When the hour of hours shall sound
Jesus be withiu me found.1
Here is a sweet little morning-prayer that Father O'Growney found in Aran.
GOD'S ANGELS.
God's ang«ls be our company
And save us while we live, May God ana holy Mary, Mac Duach and Mac Dara, ^nd Columcille protect us,
And save us until eve,2
thought. Be round about us on our lying down, in our rising, and in our slumber. Be in our mind and in our company at the last hour. 3 Literally : God's angels protect us, and save us again 'till eve, Under the protection of God and Mary, Mac Duacb, and Mac Dara, and of Columcille [we go] again till eve.
18
T)A nAorfi T)O tii i ttlAC "OtiAC Aguf 1 1YlAC T)Aipe} T>O E>Ain le !i-ApAinn. 1f o feAp ACA t>AifceAp Cill-niAC- •OUAC Ap tnofef i n^Aittirh. <3'n t>peAp eite tig An c-Aintn T)-Af A6 AUA coicCtonn tnA|\ -Ainm Ann fnA ti-oile- fin p6f. CA otteAn ttlic T)Ait\e 6 ConAniA|\A, An cAOft C -deAf, fiAt), 5A6 tnle t)A-o t)iof AS -out tAi{Vif 50 fe An f e6t mop mAjt CorhA|\tA tipt161111 •oo'n nAOrii. 1)1 Columcitle CAmAtt f.AT)A i n- mA|\ An 5ceAt)nA, Aguf ip coictsonn An c-Ainm Cotum
'An OltCAil.
•^5 f° p^mijiin t>eA5 eite -oe'n cf 6f\c ceAtmA *oo CuAtAit> An \ArhnuieAC 1 n-
"Oe 50 "Oe 30 T)e 50
locc A'
go bpAJAit) A^i n-AnAtn bode,
50 mmic " ut)Acc A'f AitjAige " Ann line, no mA|\ ciiAtAit) An 5luu>1t1ul5e^c f.em nA tTli-oe " olA 'guf Aitpije," 6i|\ CA An if)Ami|\ fe<5 AS feAn-t>AoiniD An Cont)A6 fin CA fi AJ minnncip
mmtc fAgmAoiT) pnop i n-Aic t)Ain, Ann
feo ; ACC Ag fo PAIT)II\ Atumn 1 bppof t>o (iuAtAi"6 mo CAJ\ At) SeAgAn til AC A' t)AipT) Ann fnA CeAttAit) t)eA5A i ntDun-nA-n^AU, 50 mime, Agup T»O
19
Mao Dimeh and MacDara, or Darra, were two saints who had relations with Aran. From one of them a diocese in Gal way is called " KilmacJuagh." From the other comes the name Darragh, which is still common as a Christian name in the islands. MacDarra's island is out in the sea, off Connemara, towards the south, and they say that every boat that goes by it lowers its mainsail as a mark of respect and honour to the saint. Columcille was also a long time in Aran, and, I believe, Colum is still a common name in the island.
Here is another little prayer of the same sort which Father O'Growney heard in the island.
MAY WE BEHOLD.
May we see God's countenance And perceive His gloriousncss. And attain His paradise.
A death of blessedness,
Penance and clemency
May our poor soul have.
In place of the word " iockt," clemency, "udhacJtt" 1 testament," is often said, or as Father O'Growney him- self heard it in the County Meath, " oil and penance," for the old people of that county had that prayer almost as the people of Aran have it.
It is not often that we find prose in place of poetry in these prayers, but here is a beautiful prayer in prose which my friend, Mr. John Ward, of Killybegs, in the County
20
P5t\ioti An \,iAtAnAt Ar\ piop.A c6,<yonA 6 tteut TWip m 615111 .ap A
ontA rhume.
A tijeAfinA po-mitif, A lofA CfJofCA, A "t>\& nA n-AinjeAt, A -Aon-mic nA ttlAiJTune jtofimAifie ttluipe, £61^15 ojtfiAmn-ne nA peACAij boccA, Ann JAC cf.uA-6-cAf -O'A ftpuit of.ftAinn, Ann •oo IACAI ji,
A ttlAij'oeAn jtojiriiAji, A ttlArAi|i T)e, A beAn -oo b' «Aifte -oe SAC cineAniAinc,* 'f ACA -oionjiriAtcA Ann JAC motA-6, -oeAn i-oijt-jtifoe. Aft Aft fon i t)fiA-6nwife T)O me ^A-OAIJ pem, mAfi f>uit A'f 50 ttpuijimif An jloift fio|i|tuf6e 1 -o' Aice.
-A ftuime JAC h-uite thitpeAcc', A tiAinjiio^Ain nA|i cionncAi^, A iobAijt nA r^ocAijie, 'f A -ootcuif tucc' An cjiei'oini, A -peulc nA mAfone, if "mop" joi^eAf pA^jicAf tu. A ieAtnpoitt T)e, A lofA C^iiofCA, if cufA conjnAni flAince -oumn.
An ce T>O cjiocuij finn A5up -oo ceAnnuij finn A'f T>O ctii|i nA c-jn conn f otA "oe &\\ A-p fon.
A ttluijie ttlACAi^i, A ttlACAi|i nA n5|tAfCA, bi AjAtn i n-Aimfift mo mo bAif, Ajuf ^oim mo t»Af .
, bi jiomAm \An pope. nA tei3 m'AnAtn C
Seo Aimpji nA cjtocAijte, Ajuf coj An c-uAtAc mop fo TDe m' A'f •oem1 cfoi-oe.
A ttlinjie tflAtAift Ajuf A ttlic, 50 nt)6AnAi-6 cu mo teAf, A£Uf tAtt; nAf; teiji-o cu m' AnAm Af; teic nA bpiAn. Amjle TJe 1iom. CeACCAijte T)e -pomAm. [A] JAfOA nA n-AmjeAtt CAfAm t of mo cionn. OtA Cp t'ofCA Af; mo copp. T)IA tiom A5«f poriiAm.
A t>Ainf.toJAn nA mbocc, -oo bAin impi-oe CAJI mnAib An T)omAin, uAjifiAij :}: Aguf -oeAn COJAJI Af; mo fon, An peACAC bocc nx)uit A'f 50 fcptnjinn An jtoip fio|i|tuit)e i
* If •ooij 5«n " cine " bu-6 coi|t -oo t i,e, £151-6, % i.e. CAJI, Cij.
21
Donegal, often heard, and Mr. Lyons "wrote the same piece from the dictation of one Rose O'Gallagher, in that county.
MARY'S PRAYER.
0 very sweet Lord, 0 Jesus Christ, O God of the Angels, 0 One- son of the glorious Virgin Mary, assist us poor sinners in every hardship that is upon us in Thy presence,
0 glorious Virgin, Mother of God, woman noblest of every race, and who art perfect in every praise, make intercession for us in the presence of thy own beloved Son, in hope that we may gain ever- lasting glory beside thee.
0 Nurse [ = Mother] of every sweetness, 0 Queen who hast never transgressed, 0 Well of Mercy and hope of those who have faith. 0 Star of the Morning, it is " Great " that Paradise calleth thee. Temple of God, Palace of Jesus Christ, thou art the help of health to us.
We pray to Him who created us and who bought us, and who poured the three waves of blood from Him for us.
O Mary Mother, Mother of the Graces, be with me in the time of my death, in the presence of my death, and before my death.
Be before me when I die, Do not let my soul fly by.1
Now is the time of mercy, and raise this great load off my soul and off my heart.
0 Mary Mother, and 0 Son, that thou mayest do what-is-good- for-me on this side, and on that [i.e., here and hereafter]. That thou mayest not allow my soul upon the flag of the pains. The angels of God be with me. The messenger of God be before me. 0 Guard of Angels, come ye above my head. The oil of Christ upon my body. God with me and before me.a
0 Queen of the poor, who hast gained [thy] request beyond the women of the world, come and whisper in behalf of me a poor sinner, in the hope that I may get eternal glory beside thee.
1 Literally : ' ' Let me have thee before me in the port, and do not let my soul past thee."
2 This seems almost a reminiscence of St. Patrick's Hymn, "Christ before me, Christ behind me," etc.
A bU\t n,\ bpAritiAjic, A -oeAliuvo tiA n-eAfbAtl, A -ootcAif tiA 5loitte, A iriAife nA ti-Oije, AIJI Ajt fmAoin UAccAftAm tiA ti-AingeAtl, TIA n-A^c-AinjeAtt. 1p cti ATI pAl-Ap, 1p cu ATI c-utiAtt AT> A c uite fubAitce •oo ceiT> i •ocAi|tbe x)o 'n cine •oAonriA.
TIA Jjtoijie, AJUf A •OOCCAIf I/Vice' ATI CfieiT>lril, A'f
5«tt b'e no coinpiofoit)* tetf nA h-Ainjtitj A cuijieAf folAf op^A. A ticAn rnitif, jui-oim tu 30 h-uriiAlt gAn A|i t)rjtei5t)eAt i n-Aimpji ffiuAijmeiteAC A|t mbAif, An -UAifi befOPAf AJI n-AnAm te n-At
x>o coimtie A lofA C^ioprA, i pocAiii t "oo pAife, A' ttuxie oit)ce 'f A$ eiju^e -OAtn AJI niAi-otn.
fo jtAim mitif eile DA nurone -oo 6iu\tAi>6
Ainm "bjugi-o tli Cf.om^ig 1 , 1 5con"OAe llof ccm^in. 1p f^nn e AtA. te nu<\ii\ 'ouifigce^ en te cedt n^ n-e*.\n
pAi-oi]iin cutiAitcA rhuin
tTlo teAnb -oAni r:ein % 5An mo fuit -oo ftetc ru
1 n-Aim]%ifi fjneATJCA TA n-eAn, AS "otit § AH mo jtunAift, A
'S AJ A5Aittc ITItc T)e, Cuimniu^At) AH An llAn ACA
tTlAjib -pAot 'n 3cpe.
* i.e. ComtiAT). t i.e. T)e bjnj.
+ "T)Am pein " x>ubAitic TT6* TnAp •oetjiteAjt 50 mime 1 3 Con-
po. 1f cotrcionn "A'5ot"i TI-AIC " AS -out.
23
O Blossom of the Patriarchs, Splendour of the Apostles, Hope of Glory, Beauty of Virginity, on whom ran the thoughts of the princes of the angels and of the arch-angels ; thou art the palace, thou art the apple out of which comes forth every virtue which goes to profit the human raco.
0 Splendour of Glory, hope of the people of faith, surely it is thy conversation with the angels which maketh them to be joyous. () sweet woman, I pray thee humbly not to forsake us in the pitiable time of our death, at Iho hour when our soul shall be parting with our body.
1 put myself under Thy protection, 0 Jesus Christ, on account of Thy Passion, on my lying down in the night and on my rising up in the morning.
Here is another sweet morning-prayer which I heard from a woman named Biddy Crummy, in the parish of Tibohine, County Roscommon. It is a verse to be said when one is awakened by the chirping of the birds in the morning.
A FRAGRANT PRAYER.
A fragrant prayer upon the air
My child taught me, Awaken there, the morn is fair,
The birds sing free. Now dawns the day, awake and pray
And bend the knee, The Lamb who lay beneath the clay
Was slain for thee.1
1 Literally : A fragrant little prayer my child taught me myself, my eyes not to be shut in the time of the singing of the birds ; going on my knees praying and beseeching the Son of God, remembering the Lamb who id braised and dead beneath tho cby.
24
eile ru tn^i-one t>o dtMUM* me
6m' c-djtAi-o Uom^r t)ApcUi$ At A Af Con'Ode thing 66. re 50 juMb fi te beit fAit)ce te tinn
f CtJf^ xig CU|\ OfVC.
A mj
A H.1J T1A
A ACAift An
t?A5 Ann mo feAfArii me Af mAi-oin -ojiA-OAcoifi* [r] mo teAgAfj meA|i6Al-t A tn' An Am ceAnjAit 6'n
fo ce^nn eile "oo Cu^txM* me 6'n ttpexiii ce^voru. A nij n
A ttti; tiA
CeAfCA 1 mbAfifi An /ASur cftofoe t)o cleiti 5u|i jieub fin tAm An T>O cteib
teAcc A|i IAJI nA tmn', AOI f^AC T>O TS^'ce t)ei|i pein 50 pAfijiCAp fin.
b' ioiiAnn " T)f.A-6Ac6iti " A5«f bjieAc-fot,«f
t tAbA1|( fe All fOCAl fO ttlAf; "i
1 Literally : 0 King of the friends, 0 Father of the Saviour, leave Thou me standing this morning at dawn (?). Do my teaching
25
Here is another little morning prayer which I heard from my friend Thomas Barclay, from the County Mayo. He said it was to be repeated whilst rising and dressing.
KING OF THE FRIENDS.
King of the friends,
Our Saviour's Father art thou, Keep me erect
'Till evening moisten my brow. Teach and control
Lest I unto sin should bow, And save my soul
From the foe who follows her now.1
Here is another I heard from the same.
KING OF THE WOUNDS.
King of the Wounds,
Sore wounded upon the tree, The heart in Thy breast
The blind man rent it for Thee. The blood of Thy breast
Congealed on the pool I see, Beneath Thy shield
To Paradise bring Thou me.a
without mistake, 0 Saviour, sava my soul and bind it from the Adversary.
- Literally : O King of the Wounds, wounded upon the top of the tree, and the heart of Thy breast sure the hand of the blind one rent it ; the blood of Thy breast sure it congealed upon the top of the pool. Beneath the shadow of Thy shield do Thou Thyself bring us to Paradise.
26
1f f omptA mxMt Ap pAmpeAtArt r\A mai-one An mexvo
"DO tUg me fUAf. CAfp^tTIAOIT) AnO1f A
-An CfiAtnOnxx. 0 fi^t) An-iom.A'OAm.Ait A^tif CA te p-AjAit -Ann f 5A6 AIC 1 n-6ifvinii, ^6u -AttiAin x\nn
pn Ann ^\ 501*0 n*\ fgoitce "n^ifiuncA " A c pein 6 n^ TXAoimt). UA f 1-AT) niof 'r\A pA\r)]\QA£A nA m^fone, n\Ap if pxMdge, -oo
Aon •oinne fx\n oit)6e 'n^ fx\n to, ^guf if ino
fe 'f-^11 u^1r T1t1 5° tijruil u^^S^6 ^5 ^f c^l «Ait). AS fo pxM'oif *oo (iUAlxM-O rn6 6m' Com^f O ComceAnnAm 6 1nnif-tlleAt)on. tAit)im te "DIA.
l/AiT>im * te T)IA, A'p 30 tAixJi-o T)iA tiom, tlAft tAi-oix) me teif An Otc, •A'f TiAfi tAit)it» An c-Otc tiom.
C-ftiof t>-pi5X)e |:AOJ mo cut,
A'f bjiAC ttluijie fAoi mo IAJI,
CA|I, A ttllClt 615
^5ur S^-*0 ^o tAth. mo fiotcAti te mAC -oileAf *Oe.
5vnx)im peAT)A|i, 5111-61111 pot, 5«ix)im muijie 615 'f A mAC, 5«ix)im An T)A eAfbot t x3kCA 1 bptAtceAmnAf T)e gAn mife "o'euj, te n-A
O lofA cui|i bjiij Ann fAn A •o'pxiAfjAtt J nA niitce 5i c|(AiT>ce 1 bpem, Cig b]tAon A|i mo C|toix)e "oe T)O mott-gjuvpcA j:ein [Ann] gAc Aon peACA-6 TJ'A nt)eA]tnA me.
* i.e. tui-oim. f .1.-AbfCAt. J .I.--DO
1 Literally : The crocs of Brigid beneath (i.e., round) my back, |
EVENING PRAYERS.
All that I have given above make a good example of morning prayers. We shall turn now to the evening prayers. They are very plentiful, and they are to be found in every place in Ireland,, except only in those places where the "National " schools have robbed the people of their religious inheritance. They are more plentiful than the morning prayers, because a man's fear of night is greater than his fear of clay, and he feels more at that hour that he requires prayers. Here is a prayer which I heard from my friend Thomas Concannon from Innismaan.
I LIE DOWN WITH GOD.
I lie down with God and may God lie down with rue.
TL.-u I may not lie with the Evil
And that the Evil may not lie with me.
May the girdle of Brigit behind my back
And the mantle of Mary before me bo, And como to me 0 Michael ()g
And by the hand lead me.1
I mike my peace with the dear Son of God.
I pray to Peter, I pray to Paul,
To the Virgin Mary's Son pray I, And also I pray to the Twelve Apostles
\\~ho dwell in the heaven of God most high,
That, by their leave, I may not die.2
Thou settedst apart, in Thy Sacrament, power, To heal our smart in our misery's hour, One drop on my heart, of Thy mercy, down shower, For every sin I have sinned to Thee.
ami tli-1 mantle of Mary beneath my middle, | come 0 Michael Og, | and take my hand.
''///. I pr;iy Peter, I pray Paul, | I pray Mary Virgin and her .Son, | I pray the Twelve A pintles, i who are in the heaven of God, | that I may not die, by then- leave.
28
CA niuijie AJ njeAcc 6 x>eAf LA AiceAticA * HA gcteAf, A'f nA ti-Ainjte fioimpi AmAc, A'f i
O C1J ft AT11AC
bAinfix) fife AniAC A'f ciut>iiAi-6 fi 50 ftAicif Tie finn.
ni't naAc, firt nA mnA,
A "oeAiipAT) e fin 'c Aon CHAU,
A •o'peicpeA-6 ctoc ipjnnn 50 bjiAi
tno 6^fA e<5m 1TIAC tleitt, leip f-eo, 1 n-1nip 1Tle^t)on. 50 tAi-CeAT) te -DM.
50 tAi'oeAX) te T)IA A'f 50 tAfom "OiA tiom,
tlAf. tAmeAT) leif An otc A'f nA)i IAI-OIT!) An c-otc liom,
C-piof t)|ti5-oe f.Aoi mo lift,
b|iAc tiluif.e f.Aoi mo ceAnn,
A ttlicit 615 Ajuf gtAC mo lAm,
•oeAfl mo fioccAn te mac TIA 111A rA -ojioc-fiu-o Af bic A]i 1.10 ci Cuifim ITlAC *Oe ITMH me pein Agtif • O 'nocc 50 x»ci btiAt)Ain 6 'nocc,
Anocc fem,
5° T)e°'
5°
6 xjiAirm 50 feo le J.M§AII
An cip fin, beAg-nAC mA|\ CA fi ACA i AS fo niAj\ *oo f5|\iob peAfi *oe
* "Li A-oAince " -outJAijic feifeAii, ACC m tvujnn fin.
1 Literally : O Jesus, who puttedst power into the Sacrament, | which has relieved the thousands who were tortured in pain, | comes a drop on my heart of Thy own great grace, | for every sin that I have committed.
29
From the south shall Mary come When we hear the judgment drum,
Angels go before her face, she of the sorrows seven, Since she comes to-day for us She shall make a way for us,
And lead us unto God, into heaven.
No woman nor man, so I tell, Who shall say this, and say it well, Shall see one stone of the house of Hell.1
My friend John MacNeill found another little prayer in Immmaan which is very like this one.
MAY I LIE WITH GOD.
That I may lie with God, and that God may lie with me, That I may not lie with the Evil, and that the Evil may not
lie with me,
The girdle of Brigit round my middle, And the mantle of Mary round my head, Come O young Michael and take my hand And make my peace with the Son of the Graces. If there be any evil-thing at all in wait for mo I put the Son of God between myself and itself. From to-night until a year from to-night, And to-night itself, And for ever, And for aye !
It is a long road from Aran to Lochaber in Scotland, but this prayer is to be found amongst the Gaels in that country almost as the people have it in Ireland itself. Here
Mary is coming from the south, | the day of the recognition of the tricks, ] and the angel out before her, and she in torture (?), | since she cometh out, | she shall strike out, | and she shall bring us to the heaven of God.
There is no one, man or woman, | who would say that every single time, | who would see one stone of hell for ever.
30
Sciut>AitAC i 6 vo-AttAnnAi ooA. tug
l< AtcACA-6
'nocc
te moi^e 'f le TTIAC, te mAtAitf tno ^15 'Hi mo -6ion 6 T) CA * tAi-oi-6 me teif AH Otc S CA tAi-oit) An t-Olc Ac tAi-oiT) me te T)IA,
'S IA1TD1-6 T)1A mA
TIA n.AOi n-AinjeAt O mutlAC mo cmn 50 cfAiceAnn mo t»onn.
gut-Dim peATOAji, gui-oim pot
jui'oim moi^e 615 Y A mAC'
5«i-6im An -OA opcAt § -oeAS
gAn mire "ool euj te 'n CGAT). !j
A T)IA 'r A itloine HA stoi^e
'S A mic nA 1i Oije CUITIIUMX) II
CumAib ** mife o nA piAncAn tt
'S ITIiceAt jeAt An co-oAit' ++ m' AnArnA.
•Do fAoil nA reAn--OAoine,iiiAn if -o^S. 5«f- AinsH e -oo te^Cc on tAOit) 6 t)e,\f fin A-oeip An pAi-oif re°> CA muifie AS reAfcc 6 tA AICCAUCA nA gcteA
6onncAtnAt\ i "tTO^n An peACAC,
tonnAitic me jAifS® An
CAob 6 tuAi-6 nA mu^cA •out»A
* m t«i-6fit> me. t tiom. I tYlAitte tiom. § AbfCAt. a le n-A SceA-o. IT
31
is how Mr. Stuart wrote it down from the mouth of a High- lander from Lochaber. He called it the Bed Blessing.
THE BED BLESSING. [Highland version.]
I lie down to-night
With Mary and with her Son,
With the Mother of my King
Who does me protect from evil-deeds.
I shall not lie with the Evil
And the Evil shall not lie with me.
But I shall lie with God,
And God shall lie along with me.
The right hand of God under 1113' head,
The girdle of the Nine Angels with me
From the top of my head
To the skin of my foot-soles.
I pray Peter, I pray Paul,
I pray Mary Virgin and her Son, I pray the Twelve Apostles
They, of their leave, I may not go die. 0 God and 0 Mary of glory, And 0 Son of the fragrant Virgin Keep ye me from the dark pains : And Bright Michael to meet my soul.
The old people seem to have thought that it was a sign of a good Angel to come from the south, and therefore this prayer says —
Mary is coming from the south
On the day of the recognition of tricks [deeds]
and we saw in the poem of the Tor how the sinner said —
I beheld the prowess of Death assembling ; Oft the north black walls of fire,
'* ConjbuijiT). ft
JJ 1 jconroAil m'o»nAm<\, = CCACC i 5comne m'AnAtnA (?).
32
CAOD 6 -DeAf tYlwinncifi
AS ctiumniu-6 tnexSfj TIA n-AinjeAl JA,
An ITlAij-oeAn jtojimAti '
1f coicdonncA An fuv6 " Cf\of tiA n- •oo triitug xxn c-^cAip O 5fAr1'i"^ *^t
-00 t>eit 1 tipoiftn Cfoife, cex\nn Ce-Aiin ^nn f 5^.6 ^jvo Tie n^ ceit^e
po e, .1.
AS fo p>A)T)iti-nx\-ti-oit)(ie -oo t)cul -oume
sinim-se AU An teAbAit) seo.
p ATI ieAbAix> feo tne '^
Aj
Af «cc mui|te AJU]-- J^A-OA T)e gAbAitn te T)IA mA{i ACAI 'S jAbAirn te ffluifte mA|i rri
gAbAim tdf tlA •ptAltlf TTlAjt
A'p mA-p ton I'lOji-jitn'oe
A ti5CA|iiiA, 50 ftAnAi^i-o cu A-p tn
A Cjiiofc xieAti cnocAi|te
AS f o pAToifxin eile "oo n-Aicele Coiltce-rnACi 5conT)Ae fe triAf\ tofAigeAnn An ceAnn
sTmrn sios.
Simtn fi'of A|i An teAbAi-6 feo 1 n-Ainm iofA CjiiofCA [x>o] ceufAX) beo, t)eic T>O mo fAbAit, -oo mo -oo mo curiroAc ;
6 beut Go.
33
On the south tho people of Christ (fathering amongst the Angels, The glorious Virgin hastening them.
The Angel's Cross is a common expression, and Father O'Growuey explained it to me thus ; namely, the angels are supposed to be in the form of a Cross, one of them in the middle and two others out from him iu each of the four " arts " or quarters of the compass : thus
•I* *
*•**»•*•**»**»*
*
»*»
Here is a night prayer that Mr. Lyons got from tho mouth of a Tyrone man.
I STRETCH MYSELF. I stretch myself upon this couch As in the tomb I shall be stretched, To seek the fruits and power, ent, In the Blessed Sacrament. For the sake of Mary and love of God, God, as my father I take to me, Mary as mother I take to me, The Heavens as home I take to me, Provision eternal for my soul. Save, 0 Lord, and take our soul, Christ I pray, have mercy upon us!
Here is another little prayer which I wrote down from the mouth of a woman near Kiltimagh in the Co. Mayo. It begins as the last one began.
I STKETCH ME DOWN.
I stretch me down upon this bed
In the name of Christ Jesus who was crucified alive,
To be saving me, to be rescuing me,
And to be keeping me.
34
$eiT>eAf mo
A|l An fAOJAt fO
50 T>ro5Aix> An c-ACAift fioft}tur6e go -pto^Acc tiA bplAiieAf
"oo'n plAiueAf if uifvoe * me.
S fo pAitMf; eile nA h-on!)<ie T)o £UA1|\ -An
6 Geut U^TOg Hi mt)x\ile-rriuipne i scorroA
T>e IIA Uncit» "oo §eit)iT»it) i t>p<Mt>j\eACAit:> eite i n- ^guf i nAlt)Ainn. tli tig tiom A riiimtigAt) cionntif pAjtriAOTo n^ Unce ceA"6nA f o Ann f 5^6 cuinne Agup cedfn 1 n-6tf\mn Aguf i n-Albdmn Ann A bpuil An 5Aet>eAl, munAt) e s«|\ CeAp An GAglAif 65 1 n-6ipmn guf imiTiunnA, Cum nA nt)Aoine -oo 6um nA CfiofCAigeACcA T>O rhunA* t)oi5, t)'eiT)if\ niof mo JnA mile t)liAt!)Ain 6 fom,
AgUf 5U|\ CU1fl f 1 AtTIAC AJUf gUfV fgAp f 1 nA plOf Alt)
f eo Ann f gAC AIU Ann AJA gAt) A cuit> ceA6cAi|ie ; Aguf nA tinue T)O geitamiT) AITDIU Ann f JA6 Aon Aic AtneAfs nA n^Ae^eAt, nA tince ACA Aon f ocAl le 6eite, if jnngteAC nA f eAn-T>An fO
i n-Ainm An
1 n-Ainm An ACA|I 'f6^ CAjAim 6«m Aj tAi-oe Afi mo IcAbAit) i x>'Ainm A
-oo deAnnAij pnn
A'f tion puAf fttin, T>o 5|»AfA ceAnjAit
50 -OAinjeAnn -oom' c|ioi-6e A'f
* .1. if Ai|foe.
1 Literally : In the name of the Father it is I come to rest, lying on my bed in Thy name, 0 noble King, 0 Christ who didst buy
35
And when my date shall be
Spent in this world,
That the Eternal Father may bring ma
To the kingdom of the heavens,
And to the highest heaven.
Here is another night-prayer that Father O'Growney got from the mouth of Teig O Sgannail, a schoolmaster in Ballyvourney, in the County Cork, in which occur many lines which we find in other prayers also in Ireland and in Scotland. I cannot explain how it is we get these same lines in every corner and nook of Ireland and Scotland in which the Gael is, unless it be that the Early Church in Ireland composed religious songs and hymns to instruct the people and to teach them Christianity, perhaps over a thousand years ago, and that she sent out and spread these pieces in every place to which her messengers went; and the lines which we find to-day in every place amongst the Gael, and which agree with one another almost to a word, are the remains of these old poems.
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER.
In the name of the Father to rest I betake me,1 To lie on my bed until daylight awake me.
0 Christ who on earth Cold and dearth didst endure for U3
Our hearts in all places
By thy graces make pure for us.
us, bless and fill us up Thy grace bind Thou fast to my heart, and make-durable. The protection of my soul on Thee, 0 Father, king powerful, Angel Michael since thou art the messenger.
I'G
Coimfiije* m'AtiAm' ope
A A rhicit
An ccACCAijie 6'f uu 6. An t>A 'feAj AbfCAt
CA i 5CACA1J1 TIA jtoijie, A Cfttopc beiji-pe m' AtiAm LCAC
go CACAI(( TIA Cjtionofoe.
Coimpije m' AnAtn" Oftc A "OiA
'S ni jiAJA-of 'tiA -OIAI-O ope 50
Cui|iitn A peitieit)J cu^Ar A ttlui^e 50 -ocujAf m' AtiAm -oo Uij TIA
[Cuijtim A i'emei-6 ope A ttltnjie T)o ^15 TIA nstiAr- 50 -ocusAr e,] coinnteAcc § tiA tAirhe -oeipe Am' feACAinc AH fpiopAT) TIA tAirhe cte.
mACAip ITUnfte, 1Tluine mAtAift Coin t)Aifoe, Cu)]nm C|(iu|i iDe rimAib b'uAipte cAitce
A5 COftUJAX) TT1O tCAbCA,
Cvii|iim An cjtArm jup ceAfA^o Cpiofc 1-oijt m6 A*f An rjtom-tut-oe me A'f gA6 'Opoc-ni-6.
AS fo pAi-oif-tiA-ti-oitjCe ette T>O r5|Ai6t> Art o tteut mn-A ^ corroAe
A tllAijneAn beAnntiijce,
A bAnAtcfiA An Uij t)1 mo donAtbuJA-6 1
*=coirmpce. t = tn tiACA-o. J^F'^'onuipe. $ = coinroeAcc (P)
The Twelve Apostles who are in the city of glory. 0 Christ bear my soul with Thee to the City of the Trinity. The protection of my soul on Thee, 0 God ! And I shall not go after it [to get it back from Thee] for ever. I call Thee to witness (?) 0 Mary that I have
37
0 my Father console
My soul with Thy blessedness, And thou, Michael, too,
Who dost do his messages.
0 may the Apostles
The Twelve with Divinity, And Christ hear my soul
To the Throne of the Trinity.
1 place my soul under God's protection, To Him in His mercy my soul I bring ;
I call Thee to witness, 0 Virgin Mary, I have given my soul to the gracious King,
I call Thee to witness, 0 Virgin Mary, My soul is no longer in my control,
May the Right-hand Angel, the guardian-angel From the Left-hand Spirit protect my soul.
Anna, mother of Mary, Mary, mother of Christ,
Elleesh, mother of John the Baptist,
I place the three of the most noble chalk-white women
Arranging my couch.
I place the tree upon which Christ was crucified
Between me and the heavy-lying [night-mare]
Between me and each evil-thing.
Here is another night-prayer which Mr. Lyonn wrote down from the mouth of a woman from the Co. Mayo.
0 BLESSED VIRGIN.
0 Blessed Virgin *
Nurse of the King of all power, Watch me by day,
And guard me in night's dark hour.
given m}* soul to the King of the Graces. I call Thee to witness, 0 Mary, that to the King of the Graces I have given it. May the guardian (?) angel of the right hand make-me-avoid the spirit o"f the left hand. 1 Literally : 0 Blessed Virgin | 0 Nnrse of the glorious King | be
38
pe mo fttttje -OATTI no mo Itntie ffio 6o-olA-6 no mo fUAn,
t>i mo conAlbuJA-o,* bi mo timaoll, t)1 Am' TMifte JAC tiAitt. t
A ITlAtj-oeAn % Ajuf coj mo T)eAn mo fioicAin te IllAC "Oe, cA AinfpiotiAT> A|i mo tAoti
jug TIA rijjtAf foin me 'juf e.
f° p^ifiip-tiA-ti-oitxie 0 onAtn^A r>o
O 5fArflT1^ *Ani. Cpei-mm 50 f eipexin i 6 t)Orhn^U O
ttiijim te^c A
leAr A A'f 50 tuix>i-6 cu tiom, Cftiofc AJI m' AtiAm, C|ie TIA ti-AbfrAi of mo cionn.
-oo cnurAij me, fhic T>O 6eAnnAij me, SpiojiAix) TlAoitii -oo beAnnuij me 1
/A ttAin^ioJAin TIA pie 'S A bAinftiojjAin TIA
Cos me Af HA peACAx>Aib
-Ajtif cuifi me Att An eotAf,
Cuijt ATI Aitiiige Ann mo 50 fitfeA-o nA -oeotiA.
. t "5Ac cu|tA " TiubAiiic fi, ACC m ruiji + "Oo f5ftiob An t,iACAnAc " CA|t A mic" ACT if "0615 nAc fin.
keeping me by night | and watch me in the day | wliether I be sitting or whether I be lying | whether sleeping or slumbering | be keeping me, be round me, | be watching me every hour.
Come, 0 Son, and take my hand, j Make niy peace with the Son
89
Whether I sit or whether I lie
Or whether I slumber deep, Be my guardian, be my keeper,
Watch me through my sleep.
Come, 0 Virgin, and take my hand,
A. id make my peace with Thy Son, and see
That 110 evil spirit beside me stand,
The King of Grace between it and me !
Here is a night-prayer from Counemara which Father O'Growney gave me. I think that he heard it from Domlmai! OTaherty.
I LIE DOWN WITH THEE, 0 JESUS.
I lie down with Thee, O Jesus1
And lie Thou down with me, That the holy Creed above my head
And the oil of Christ on my soul may be.
O Father who sought me,
O Sou who bought me
0 Holy Spirit who taught me !
0 Queen of whiteness,
Of brightness, of youth, Lift me from sinning
And show me the truth. In my heart put repentance
And sorrow and ruth.
of God. | If there be an evil-spirit beside me | I put the King o" Graces between me and it.
1 Li'erally : I lie down with Thee, 0 Jesus | and mayest Thou lie with me. I The oil of Christ on my soul. | The Creed of the Apostlo-; above my head. | 0 Father who created me | O Son who bought me j 0 Holy Spirit who blessed me I O Queen of Brightness and 0 Queen of Virginity | lift me out of sins.
And show me the right way, | Put repentance in my heart | that
40
'S mA CA fe 1 ITOATI -OATH
50 |iAift m' AHATTI. Amen.
ce^nn eite t>o UAit -An
Itngitn le TMA.
l/uijim te T)IA, 50 tuij;n:> T)1A liom, C^ioi'oe T)e liom, -OA tAirh *Oe tiom,* fofA A'f fflui|ie tiom, A'p CUIJIT: riA n-Am ceAtiriAij me, TofA beAnriAij me 1 teArinAij me, fAOfi A'f teAf AIJ me ! SAOfi 6 JAC peACA-6 me 'noif A'f 50 b^A
milif jtonmAi-p, fAbAit m'AnAm HA piAncAib -O011CA CA -oeAncA •oumn.
mo txioli tie AS. mo cAob •oeAf t cot)t/Ai5im A|t mo tAob cle, mo cut -oo'n peA|i if meAfA
m'AJAi-6 A]\ ttlAC T)e.
eile t>en cf6(\c cex3kt)n^ T»O i n-A^Ainn.
tuigim sios.
flof A|i An teAbA fo AHOCC, tuijeAnnf t ttlAC "Oe A|( An
fo jtAnn t>e^5 -Aluinn 6 "OotrinAtt O ^otA^CA <.\p
* "Oo duAtAi-o fe 6 -owine eite HA f.oclA fo teAnAf CA^I eif HA tine. " T)IA A'f mui^e tiom, | A'f C|iof nA
fAot mo IAJI | SnAixim A bonn," ACC nioji ctiij ni ruijim-fe IAX). t recti "AH mo tAoib -oeif." Ji.e. "twijeAf," no " LuijeAnn " mA|i •oeini'o i jCuije ITlumATi.
41
And if this be my story
E're morning to die, May my soul be in glory
With God upon high.
Here is another which Father O'Growney fouud in Aran. I LIE DOWN WITH GOD.
I lie down with God, and may God lie down with me, The Heart of God with me, the two hands of God with me, Jesus and Mary with me, and the Court of the Angels, Jesus who bought me, O Jesus bless me, Je&us who bought me, save and amend me.1
Free me from every sin now and for ever. 0 sweet, glorious Jesus save my soul From the dark pains that are made for us.
Here is another melodious little rann from Domhnall O'Faherty, of Connemara.
I LAY ME DOWN ON MY RIGHT SIDE.
I lay me down on my right side,
On my left side me to place, I turn my back on the Evil Man
And I face to God my face.2
Here is another prayer of the same kind which Father O'Growney found in Aran, and sent me.
I LIE DOWN.
I lie down on this bed to-night
As the Son of God lies [sic] upon the Cross.
I may shed the tears | and if it be fated for me | to die before morning | in the possession of glory | may my soul be. Amen.
1 These lines make a beautiful rhyme in the original.
•Literally : I lie down on my right side | and I sleep on my left Bide | I give my back to the Man most evil [the Devil], and I give my face to the Son ~* God.
42
l)[tAr b|ii'5t)e pAoi mo
Wui]ie tn'lcAf, mo •tWri-jjuYO cu
1p cu •ooccvhjt m'AiiAniA,
1jx cu mo cAjtAiT) &]\ «Aift mo b
O' [n] ngleAnn HA iToe6}t fo c
Cuilt trio cttoi-oe ie S^A-O xio'n
Ap tiAifi mo bAif
50 tifAJAim nA ptAitif. Amen.
o p.AiT>ip-tM-ti-oit)Ce -oo pUAip me 6m' O ti-CAin, r^5^c S.1. CvtAtAi-6 i-ei^e-An i 6
tug nre
A AriAin tjiTofi: beAntiAi^ me. A cuijip Cjiiofc ptAtiAij me.
[A] f«ii Cttiofc r^rA1s r11®-
[A] tiifje cAOib' C^lofc tii 3 me. A pAif C|n'orc neAf.CAij me. A iofA tiA nt)ut eifc tiom O [A] *OeAn -oion t>Am 1 x>* c^eAccAib [ = F«tAiti5] me beit e A|iAimpii [AimfmJA-o?] An me &]\ Aiinfi^i mo bAif. fuil A'f 50 motfAinn tw. Aon leif tiA Vi-Ain5lib fAOJAt nA fAOJAl. Amen.*
O pA1T)1]\-t1A-1l-Olt)6e T)O j:t1A1J\ Atl
CorroAe An ClAi|\.
tTlAU tUlgllYI.
tYlA|t tuijnn Ann fAn leAbAi-6 feo SCA-O lui^eA-ot Ann f AH UAIJ.
feo le v^SAit i "bpA^ncAf AH AnmA," JAf i AJ t. 329. Cuji-AtnAC, 1645. re.
The mantle of Brigit beneath [i.e. round] my bosom
Dear Mary, my very-love thou art,
Thou art the doctor of my soul,
Thou art my friend at the hour of my dealh,
From this valley of tears lift me henceforth,
Flood my heart with love for The Man.
At the hour of my death,
That I may find the heavens. Amen.
Here is a night prayer that I got from my friend the Rev. Dr. Ed. Hogan, S. J. He heard it from a lady in the County Kerry. She called it " Edward's Testament."
EDWARD'S TESTAMENT.
0 Soul of Christ bless me.
0 Body of Christ save me.
0 Blood of Christ satisfy me.
0 Water of Christ's side wash me.
0 Passion of Christ strengthen me.
0 Jesus of tho Elements, hear me O Lord. Make a protection for me of thy wounds. Permit me not to be separated from thee. Keep me from the attack of the Adversary.
1 call me to thee at the time of my death. In hope that I may praise thee
Along with the angels For ever and ever. Amen.1
Here is a night prayer which Mr. Lyons got from a man in the County Clare.
AS I LIE.
As I lie in this couch
It is [so] I shall lie in the grave.
1 This prayer is to be found in almost identical shape in Friar Gernon's book "Parrthas an Anma," or the " Paradise of the Soul," at page 327 of the edition of 1645, published at Louvain.
E
44
T)eAnAini
gO C|U1A1X> teAC
l/e cjioip nA n-Air>5eAl,
Ann fAn teAbAi-6 f eo tutjim.
UjlAOn Af 11 A ptAltlf
50 -OC151-6 Ann Aft A •oibeocA nA
reo '
HA h-oitxie eite o 1nif tHeAt)oin. A rhxMS'oe.An tte^nnuigte.
A ttlAij-oeAn beAnntngce, fhAtAiji T)6
[A] foittfe jjlegeAt CA A coinneAt foittj>eAc ' ^ACAIJI "Oe
50 fiAib cu A5Ainn I/A AJ
1i-oit>Ce, x\5up
eite "oe'ri cf6{vc ce^'onA, p.Ai'ope.AC.AA'oeifinA'OAoine A\\
m6 ctn-o *oe r\A tn Af AU-A, p/Mt)ii\ le t>eit ctuince^ At>|\Ain nA n-e^n xxg cujv ^\itce An IA 65, pxMT)i|\ AC^ f\.Ait)ce nuAip togAnn -ATI
Ann fAti Aij:pionii, pAmijA ACA fiAit)ce UAic feipeAl no ceAmpott, ASUJ- ceAiin no -06 eile. 1p beAg tiAC pop te jtAt) 6, nA6 ^uib 51110111 fonntuvoAc no f pei^iAlCA Ap bit TD'A "ociseAt) te beit •oeuncA AS AH 6ipeAnnAc A^ peAt) An lAe HAC
1 Literally : I make my confession | hardily to Thee O God | with the Cross of the Angels | on this bed I lie. | A drop out of the heavens | may there come into our heart | that shall banish these sins I and these scandals from us.
45
I make my confession
Unto God overhead, With the Cross of the Ange!»
I lie on this bed. One drop out of heaven
Shed down on this heart, That shall banish for ever
The sin and the smart.1
Here is another night rann from Innismaan.
BLESSED VIRGIN.
Blessed Virgin, God's own Mother,
Shining light set up on high, Candle blazing in the heavens,
Be with me the day I die.9
These are sufficient as examples of night-prayers, and we shall now turn to other short prayers of the same kind which are spoken by the people upon special occasions.
OCCASIONAL PRAYERS.
I gave some of these occasional prayers above, as, for example, a prayer to be said on waking, when the songs of the birds are heard welcoming a new day ; a prayer to be said when the priest raises the chalice in the miss ; a prayer that is said when a church or chapel is seen in thy distance, and one or two others. It is almost quite true to say that there was no particular or special act that might come to be done by an Irishman throughout the day, but he
2 Literally : 0 Blessed Virgin Mother of God, bright light that art without a stain, shining candle in the presence of God, that we may have thee with us on the day of our death.
focAt 110 T)<5 "oe pAiT>i|t Aige j\ oirhe, AntiAf 50 *oti SeApjA 6 f oin.
t)i gniorh fonnpA'OAC T)e'n cfojic fo te •oeunAifi Aige 1i-mte oit)Ce nuAij\ Cuipe^t) f e CUIT> T>e'ti ceme •oo t5i x\t^ An -oceAglAC i -ocAifge, ^5 pol«$A-6 fpUinnc no -06 50 -001111111 JMOI An ngjAiop^C ^511^ $AO\ An -D'A gcoisilu," IUAJ\ -OUDAIJIC f e, 1 fio^c 50 pop HA cement) t>eo Aige A\\\? A\\ t)ut> 6 fin gnioiti T)ei§eAnnA(i An IAQ -Aige ; "oo An oit)Ce Agvif •oopCA'OAf n^ h-oit)Ce teif An fin. 1f "ooig nAC 5^11 pAiT)i]\ 1^15 T>O gni-Oe^t) fe 6, Aguf CA An pAi-oip feo te f.AjAil Ann f gA6 uite AIC i n-6ijMnn Ann A t>f.tnl An 5Ae"oei^5 tied f.6f, Aguf i n-Att)Ainn mA|A AH sceAtmA. -Ag fo niAjA fgpiob mo CAjtA 66m ITlAC tleilt i 6 tieut liUjvcAin tli n-1mf tYleAt)on.
An ceme seo.
CoinjVijim* Ati ceme feo
instijeAf Cpiopc CAit>, 1 muttAc An cije t)|u'5it> Ann A tAji. An C-OCCAJI Ainjli-oe if c|teme
A* cunroAC An ci^e feo 'S A -oAome t
.e., coistijim, c. "AS congAitc nA cifie=A5 otteAn
1 In English this is always called "raking" the fire, but in Irish " sparing " or " saving " it.
47
had. until quite recently, a word or two of a special prayer for it.
Such a special act he had to perform every night when he put safely away a portion of the fire that was on the hearth, covering up a coal or two deeply under embers and ashes, "sparing it,"1 as he said, so that he might have the seed of the fire alive again in the morning. That was for him the last act of the day, and with it came the night and the darkness of the night. And naturally it was not without a short prayer he used to do it, and this prayer is to be found in every place in Ireland in which Irish is yet alive, and in Scotland also. Here is how my friend John MacNeill wrote it from the mouth of Martin Folan in Inuismaan.
I SAVE THIS FIRE TO-NIGHT.
As I save this fire to-night
Even so may Christ oave me, On the top of the house let Mary
Let Bride in its middle le. Let eight of the mightiest angels
Round the throne of the Trinity Protect this house and its people
Till the dawn of the day shall be.'
~ Lit trail y : I save t'.iis fire as s^veth chaste Christ, Mary on the top of the house and Bngii, in its middle. The angelic eight most fetror.g in the ci<y of the graces [be] protecting this lioasa and bringing safe its people.
48
00151151111 An ceine seo.
ATI ceme feo
tecjiAtin Am^te T)e XJA'JI troutpeAcc
'S tlAJI fUAfSlAfO AH 11AlilAn>. OCC n-CAC fAOl A'l C6A6
CCAC nAc luijeAnn ceo Aijii HAG n-imceocAit) Aon riiAjib Ap 'S tiA6 njoinceAji •ouine beo Ann.
o til Aj\ i_*tivM|\ T)6niiiM,l O pot AJVCA Af Con Atii A^A 6. 00151151111-50 ATI ceme seo. coip etie.
ATI ceme j-eo coigitx Cftiopc CAC, f AOI n-A bun tTlAC ttl«i}ie Ann A lAji.t Ain5CAlA if mo CUITIACC
nA njjtAf ' ciimt)AC 'f AJ coiriieAX* ATI cije feo 'S A muinncifi A|iif 50 IA.
* tlo mA|A x»'.i5Ai|ic tlojiA ni CoiiJAite An pAi-oip feo "le clAnn -oe 6lAn-OAit> pA-ojtAis," Adc ni tei|t -oAm fin. x\5 fo fUAijt An c-ACAip eo^An An pAi-oijt «Aici-fe.
00151151171 An ceme feo le clAtm -oe clAnntJAio
tllAC T)e •OA'JI |iei-6ceAC A*f nA|t niufslAix)
Occ n-eAc fAoi "n CBAC AjAinn A'f CCAC A luijeAnn ceo Ai|i,
tlAjt imti5i-6 -ouine mA|tb Af, 'f nAji jomceAti -ouine beo Ann.
t Aliter, "Ann A IACAI)I."
1 Literally : I spare this fire with the tree [staff] of the clan Patrick ; the angels of God to wake us, and let them not let loose the enemy [aliter, let not the enemy awaken]. Eight steeds around the house, a house that no fog lies upon ; that no dead shall go out of, and in which no living one is wounded [aliter, that no dead one may go out of it, nor living one be wounded in it !]
49
Here is how Brigit Donnahue had it.
WITH THE STAFF OF THE SONS OF PATRICK.
With the staff of the sons of Patrick *
This fire I now am raking, Awaken let God's good angels,
J>ufc enemies none be waking. Eight steeds are about the house '2
A house not clouded a minutu, Ar.d may no dead ever leave it
Xor living be wounded in it.
Here is how Donal O'Faherty from Connor ara found it.
I SAVE THIS FIRE.
I save this fire
As Christ once saved all, Mw Bride3 care and keep it,
On Mai-y's high Son I call ; The three angels most mighty
In Heaven's hall, Protect us this house
Until day shall davrn.4
2 Compare the English lines, the only prayer I ever he.ird in English resembling these Irish OIK-?.
Four corners to my bed,
Four angels round my head,
One to watch and one to pT \v
And two to bear my soul av. .iy.
* Notice how Brigit whose name is interpreted as breo-shviyit "fiery arrow " is here associated with fire. It was in her honour the Virgin's fire at Kildare " burnt through longages of darkness and storm " until the Normans quenched it. For a notice of St. Brigit's connection with fire, see my Literary History of Ireland, p. 161.
4 Literally : I save this fire as Chi-ist saved each one, Brigit under its foundation [i.e., taking care of it] and the Son of Mary in its midst [aliter, boside her]. The three angels of most power in the court of the grace*, be protecting and keeping this house and ita people again till day.
50
5 f o Apif mAf\ puAip mo CAJIA pAT)f\<M5 O niAipeAnn, An pAiT>if\ CeATmA t scontJAe
ATI ceine seo. cofp C Coijjtim An ceme peo
coijteAnn Cfiiofc IAC, A]i X>A ceAnn An nje
iT) Ann A I-AJI. *6 A fopuit Ta'Ainjlib 'ST)e nAOtiiAit) i JCACAIJI MA S cofAinc 'f AJ coimeA-o tucc An cije f eo 50 IA.
S fo mAf CA An pxMt)ip (ie-A-onA ACA i
ti-Alt>Ann.
rnise ATI ceme.
mife ATI ceme A fmAlAf ITIAC rnui|ie, gti mbA ftAn AH cije 'f AH ceme gti mbA ftAn •oo'n cuiTieAcc uite. Co f IT) A'JI An tAri* ? peAx>Aji Ajuf pot. Co Airi A biceAf An Aijie 'nocc ?
Al|t t11Vl1|ie JCAl A*f A1[1 A TTlAC.
t)eut "Oe A -o'lnnpeAf, Ain5CAt T»e A tAnnjiAf , t AmjeAt An x)0|tAf JAC go fotuf jeAt A mAi^eAC.
te t>eic fiAi'dce Ag t)wt cum A iHA|\ cuAlAni An c-ACAip O 5fAmriA15 1 ti-.AjiAinn i.
S6A6C bpA1T)|ieACA f O fBACC
Cui|t muijie fAOi n-A triAC, Cuift bjiijit) pAoi n-A bjiAC, Cui|t *OiA fAOi n-A neAjtc,
i.e., CIA fu-o A|i An tijiLAji. t =lonnpAijeA^. J =dje.
51
Here, a^ain, is how ray friend the late Patrick O'Leary fuund the same prayer in the County Cork.
I SAVE THIS FIRE. [A Cork version.}
I save this fire
As kind Christ saves, Mary at the two ends of the house
And Brigit in the middle. All that there are of angels
And of saints in the city of the graces Protecting and keeping
The people of this house till day.
Here is how they have the same prayer in the Highlands of Scotland.
I RAKE THE FIRE. [Highland version.]
I rake the fire
As the Son of Mary rakes,
That safe may be the house and the fire,
That safe may be the whole company.
Who is that on the floor ?
Peter and Paul.
Whose part is it to take care to-night ?
The part of bright Mary and her Son.
The mouth of God that tolls,
The angel of God that brightens,
An angel in the door of each house
Till the bright light to-morrow.
Here is a prayer to be said when going on a journey, as Father O'Growney heard it in Aran.
SEVEN PRAYERS.
Seven prayers, seven times over told, Mary left to her Son of old, Bride left to her mantle's length, 1 '1 left to His own great strength.
52
ei-oifi pinn 'p An SUiAj
efoip pinn 'p An SttiAJ
6iT>i)i finn 'p AH wipje bAnJce,
eiTMfi pinn 'p tiA CACtH5t(it>) cjtAro
inn 'p AT) nAIJie f-AOJAtCA,
polUijv\6 511 p *AppA ^n piojM fo, 6 CA C^ACC
nx\
me Ati pAiDip peo p^ot CurnA eile 6 mo O Coince^nnAinn. AS fo m^p -oo tM p
(coip eile.)
SBACC bpAix>jieACA PAOI Cutji muijte XI'A TTIAC, t
ClIIJI bjUJIT) fAOl tl-A
Cuifi miceAl pAOi n-A fjiAC, Cui[( DIA pAOi n-A neA|tt;, 61-otfi me Ajuf uifje mo muccA 6it)ifi me Ajuf wipge mo b<\ix>ce ei-oi|t me Ajup bAp bio-6j;A [obAnn] me Ajup JAOIC nA jcnoc, me Ajup •opoc-c|ioii6ttb xjftoc-puittb nA n-oAome. te mo cumx)AC, te mo pAbAit [te mo copAinc] Ajup te mo jAf
t)Ap bftiJTie " "DubA-ipc &r. peA^i 6 A bpuAift AH 5f Amnui JCAC An
CC b'eixiingujt "bnoiT)eM "b|iAi5X)e" no " t P.UAI-JI me An pAi'oifi ceATjnA 6m' CAftAit) ComAp O h- Citt-Ain), 1 jContJAe An CtAip Aj«p ip mA|t po bi An T>A tine Aije-peAn. "SCACC bpAfojteACA po'n peAcc ^00 b|ionn
53
Between us and the Fairy Kind,
Us and the People of the Wind,
Us and the Water's drowning power,
Us and Temptation's evil hour,
Us and the World's all-blighting breath,
Us and the bondsman's cruel death.1
It is evident that this piece is an ancient one, since it talks about spirits that are not of this earth, the Fairy Host and Host of the Wind.
I got this prayer in another form from my friend Thomas C.mcannon. Here is how he had it.
SEVEN PRAYERS. (Another version.)
Seven times seven prayers
Mary put2 to her Son,
Bridget put beneath her mantle,
Michael put beneath his shield,
God put beneath his strength,
Between me and water to smother me,1
Between me and water to drown me,
Between me and sudden death,
Between me and the Wind of the Hills,
Between me and evil hearts,
And the evil eyes of people,
To keep me, to save me,
To protect me, and to guard me.
1 Literally: Seven prayers seven times [multiplied] | Mary put beneath [i.e., left unto ?] her Son, | Brigit put beneath her mantle
'• God put beneath his strength, | between us and the fairy host j be- tween us and the host of the wind | and between us and the drown- ing water j between us and hurting temptations | between us and the worldly shame j between us and the death of captivity.
2 Aliter, "gave her son." This is how I heard it from Thomas Houlihan of Killard.
* Literally : "the water of my smothering."
54
AS fo pAiT)ip le pAt) AS -mil Cum Aipcip, T>O P AII LiAtAnAC e o oeut -ouine 615111 Ap Ui
noitn
1 n-Ainm An ACAJI le buAi-6
Ajtip An tflic A •o'piilAinj An pi in
tlUnjie 'j- A tTlAC 50 ftAib Lioni Ajt mo £fit<xlt.
O A ttltiijie CAf * t>Am AJ An pope tlA teij m' AnAm cA^tc. If mojt m' eA5lA ttoirii x>o
1 jcumAOin nA nAom 50 jiAib niuix> fftnn]
AS eifce<j<ic te jut nA n-AinjeAt
A' A motA-6 tllic T)e te AOAt nA Aoat. Am6n.
An cpeiDeArh An-6oic<iionn 1 n-6tjAinfi 'f 1 n- 50 mbionn -oAoine Ann, CAiteAf T)f\oC-f uit A]\ t\ut) Af bit ip miAii Ie6. UlA 6AitiT> -otvot-fuil A^ -oo 6uinneOis ni b6iu Aon im fAn mAijfq-iiujA-O, mA 6Aitit) A|\ t)O tt6 i, to'ei'Difv 50 •ocuicptt) fi Agup 50 toicpt;ex\|\ i, niA 6AitiT) ojvc ^em i b'eiDiji gup cpotn- $AlA|\ no cmneAp tiucpAp oj\c. x\5 po oj\tA AHAgAit) nA -O|\oC-fuile -DO rspiott AII ti At An A 6 6 tteut •oume Af , Agup puAip An 5rArf1nl115eA^ &n opt A
otitA AnA§Ait) -onoC-suile.
cuiji ITIAC 'Oe AJI SAC neA6 AIT)!^ nA bpeA]ic A|i A -OA jlum, ) potA Af A cneA'OAi'5, A ti)ic 3An locc if triAit T»O |tun.
* Aliter "cAftA".
1 See above the ORtA muine, Mary's Prayer, for this couplet
2 Literally: "during the life of lives," or "world of world's,"' evidently taken from the Latin " in ssecula saeculorum."
55
Here is a prayer to be said when going on a journey. Mr. Lyons wrote it down from the mouth of somebody from Tyrone.
PRAYER BEFORE A JOURNEY.
In the name of the Father, with victory
And of the Son who suffered the pain,
That Mary and her Son may be with me on my travel.
0 Mary meet me at the port Do not let my soul [go] by thee,1 Great is my fear at thy Son.
In the communion of the saints may we be,
Listening to the voices of the angels,
And praising the Son of God for ever and ever.8
The belief is very common in Ireland and in Scotland that there are people in it who can cast an evil eye on anything that they please. If they cast an evil eye on your churn there will be no butter in the churning, if they cast it on your cow perhaps she will fall and be hurt, if they cast it on yourself perhaps it is a heavy disease or sickness that will come upon you. Here is a charm against the evil eye that Mr. Lyons wrote from the mouth of a man from Donegal, and Father O'Growney found the same charm in Aran.
CHARM AGAINST EVIL EYE.
God's Son hath given a charm of charms,8 (First on thy knees thy pater say),
Shed was His blood by cruel arms,
Faultless and fair his righteous sway.
3 Literally : A charm which the Son of God hath placed upon each person | the pater of the miracles on his two knees j the shedding of blood out of his wounds | 0 Son without a fau'.t good is thy intention.
56
nuAift 6onnAif\c fYluifte A tYlAc peiti Aji An cfioic te n-A X>A fi'nt *
Sit fl CJ11 FflAfVkt fOtA
^5UT 1 F1^ coi'AibJ 1*15 tiA trout.
A fuit ut»A [«x>] x>o fimne mo totr *Oo bAin -oiom mo x>|teAC 'f mo f
gin-oim-fe inuijie A'f A tllAC A'f ^15 "A bptAiceAf A
T)o CAfA* p-c\ifce be^s A|\
O 5PAI"'inA15 1 ti-Af Ainn, IA, Aguf t»i fiAT> ^5 CAinc te gup tj\ACc f IAT> PAOI -Oeipedt) AJ\ tiA fit)e65AiG, -outtAific An pAifce teif An n^lvAnnun^eAt 50 •Dip eA6 tnAp f o ; " UA f 6 pAitbce, A AtAip," Ap f 6, " Afv bit A -peicteA}\ Ap tAoitt -00 lAin'ie cti, uT) fin, ACc two ^p blt 6ipe66Af Ap tAOitt T)O -oeife nAC bAogal -ouic fin. A6c p6 AJ\ bit A n-eipi$eAnn fiAT>, fo oj\tA 'HA ti-AjAit) le
"OUt All tiCAtAlg t)U1C."
T)e
go 5CUi|ipi-6 fe AH mo teAf me.} gufoim Af ucc T)6 Ap HA fpiopAiX)' cle
Uite 50 teijt teijeAn T)Am.
AS fo optA tteAg eite CuAlAf o'n AtAip O
AtlAgAlt) flObpAt) fltieOg.
ontA AiiAjAi^i nA sitjeds.
te n-A jcoimtfice •oiutcAijnut) •O'A n-imijtce,
* Sic., i TI-AIC "te TIA T>A fuit". t Aliter
J "pAh-ticc Ann -pl5" m&\\ puAiji An tiAcAnAc e. { "OubAijic An pAij-ce "me cup AJI mo teAf," ACC if "0615 Aji fo T)o bl An tine AH
57
When Mary saw him, as sha stood,
High on the Cross all torn and rent,
Rained from her eyes three showers of blood And at its foot she made lament.
An Evil Eye hath me undone
Paling my face in dule and dree, I cry to Mary and her Son
Take the ill eye away from me-
Father Eugene O'Growney, of a day, met a little child in Aran, and they were talking to one another, until at last they talked about the fairies, and the child spoke to him exactly thus, " It is said Father," says he, " anything that is seen on your left-hand side, — that it is a bad thing, but anything that will rise up on your right-hand side — it is no danger to you. But, whatever side they rise on, here is a charm to be said against them going the way, of you."
I PRAY GOD'S RIGHT-HAND ANGEL.
I pray the Right-hand Angel of God
That he may put me on the best-way for me,
I pray for God's sake
The Left-hand Spirits
All of them, to let me be.
Here is another little charm I heard from Father O'Growney against the faerie of the fairies.
CHARM AGAINST FAIRIES.
Wo accept their protection And we refuse their removal,
When Mary beheld her own Son | on the cross with lu-r two eyc-s | She shed three showers of blood | and She at the feet of the King of the elements.
0 yonder eye that has caused my wound j that has taken from me my form and my good appearance ' I pray Mary and her Son | and the King of t.h? Hetveus to take it from nie.
58
A jcut lmn
-A 11-4541-6 UAinn,
-Af uct bAip A'f p-Mpe
-Ajt SlAnAijteop lopA
fO OpA At1,A5.<M> -OOlj-fMCAt X)0 ClMl^r O
nud6 Ttluig 66; CA An OJ\C.A fo,
no oftA coftfiuit t6i, Le ^jxMl x\f\ put) IIA ti-6ipe-Ann. An
C|tiofc Ann fin i tAC " CA'oe CA ofir A peA-oAiji?" " CA m' piACAit AUA ctnn."
A ^)eAT)Aiji i bi ftAn til cufA AITIAITI ACC A mAijicAnn beo, n-iomc6jiAii6 mo tViAijiinn gAn* beic cjiiobloi-oeAC niof mo."
eite. (6'n
Sin A}tAT) [OJICA] T)O
A\\ fiACAit rilic Ui plotnn,
HA A\\ cinneAf cmn. tiluipe An n-otbjtij [n -oibeojiAiT)]
^n C|1OC CJU1A1-6 CJU\pA
ACA i jcjiuAna-teAC An cmn.
fo m<\|A puAift me An o\\tA
le Se^gAn ITL\c ITlAtsAfhnA Ap oitexSn cSionnAirm cimCioLt ceitfe pCit) bliA'CAn 6 foin.
OtlCA eite (AnAJAm An |tuit) ceAtinA). LA T)'A fiAio PAX)|1A15 'HA f ut-oe Ap cloic meApbAiL -oo CAim^ T)IA
e.
* "A beic" •outiAific feifCAn, ACC m -peicim Aon ciAtt Ann fin.
1 See above the mysterious piece called "St. Patrick's maraiiin or mairinn." By carrying it, is meant having it by heart, or else carrying it written which was done not uncommonly.
59
Their bick to us,
Their face from us,
Through the death and parsion
Of our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Here is a prayer or charm against tooth-ache which I heard from Thomas Barclay from the County Mayo. This charm, or one like it, is to be found throughout Ireland.
TOOTH-ACHE CHARM. Peter was in the wilderness, Jesus Christ came there into his presence.
" What's on thee Peter?" "It in my tooth that is sick."
" Rise up Peter and be whole,
And not thou alone but all who remain alive, If they carry my mairinn 1
Without being further troublesome."
ANOTHER CHARM. (From (he same reciter.) Here is a charm that Peter put
On the tooth of the son of O'Flohm On a hardness on the jaw,
On sickness of the head. 0 Mary wilt thou bani«h
The hard knobby lumps
Thu,t is in the cruaidh-leac (?) of the head.
Here is how I found the charm against toothache written by John MacMahon on an island in the Shannon about four score years ago.
ANOTHER CHARM. (Against the same.)
Of a day that Patrick was sitting on a stone of straying'2 (?) God came to him.
2 The "fid mearbhail" or " f ud seachrain" is an enchanted kind of sod upon which if you stand you are transported as it were into all kinds of scenes and travels and experiences, without leaving the place where you stand, though you may think you have gone for miles and lived for days. This is the only place, however, where I have met the clock mearbhail.
60
" CAT) 6 pin ofit A pAT>}iAis." AJI fAti CijeAjinA "OiA. " ACA cmneAf jMACAt."
"C'f'S Ann -oo funie A f.) -YD 11*13," Ajt An CigeAjind, "Agtif bi 6'n bpem, A3«j' ni cu AiriAin ACC 5*6 Aon neAc eile x»o beAfipAp nA peo teo 'HA •ocimciolt, AJI n-A ]\&r> cuig pAi-oiji, 01113 Ave
UA r\A li-Of\tAnnA fo coicCtonn 50 te<5p,
11A pAgAtlCAtCA ^f Ctllt) ACA, AJUp CA 1?OCAlt 1
ACA tiAC bpuit Aon 6iAit lonncA Anoip. 1lmne ctn-o T>e tiA T)AOiiiitt peni mASAt) ]:UCA, ACc nA "6tAi$ pin tAngA- •OA|\ AnuAf 6ti5Ainn 50 -on An IA Ant)iu. AS fo tnAf\ t\mne -ouine 0151 n triASAt) ^AOI optA An -0015-^1 ACAI, T)O CuAtAit) T)6mnAU O potAjiuA i gConAtriAf A 6.
out A
OJICA A 6«iji SeumAf "oo
An t)1A1t> [t)O15] ACA Aim t)O clA]1-p1ACAlt
A beic fAii bpiACAil if puit)e fiAji Ann -oo
"Do t>eif\ An potApCA6 01115 optA TD^AS -oumn -DO fe AtTieAfg muinndj^e ConAniAfA,* mAf ACA Coifgte poLA, OptA An UUAI*, OptA An UAtctA, 2 OptA An DpAomin, OptA te A gcoifgteA^ niA-OA* te
•OUtCUf [tTlA-OAt) CUtA6], O|\tA An |^1At>f\A1f "Dig, OjttA
An "OiAit) 'fiACAil, OptA tfluif\e -oo rhnAit) Ann A Unt>e fe6it, optA *oei|iteAp Ag -out tA|\c teif An sCjAoif t)pigt>e, optA AnAjAit) eAfouit), ecc, OptA ColAim-CiUe no OptA nA Seiige, OptA An Upom-ltiit)e, OptA Seipce, optA AnAgAi* -oeAtriAn A6tp. Cfd gup " opt Ann A " opp<i fo ni't lonncA ACc pAir>peACA geAppA, no
o," t 133-137.
61
" What's that that's on you Patrick ? " said the Lord God.
"It is the sickness of the teeth."
Rise up Patrick, said the Lord, and be free from the pain, and not you alone, but every other person who shall bring these words with them, about them, after their saying five paters, five aues, and a creed.
These charms are common enough, and there is on some of them the trace of paganism, and there are in some of them words in which there is now no sense. Some of the people themselves scoffed at them, but in spite of that they have come down to us to the present day. Here is how somebody made a mock of the tooth-ache charm as Domhnall O'Fotharta heard it in Connemara.
A MOCK CHARM.
A charm which Seumas sent to Diarmuid A cl>arm with requesting, without asking, The pain that is in your front-tooth, To be in the furthest- back tooth in your gum!
O'Faherty gives us fifteen charms which he heard amongst the people of Connemara,1 namely, a charm for the staunching of blood, a charm for " rose " or erysipelas, a charm against choking, two charms against a festering, a charm by which a mud dog is quelled, a charm against " little fever " or neuralgia, a toothache charm, Mary's charm for women in child-bed, a charm said on going round with Brigit's Cross, a charm against want, Colum- cille's or the hunting charm, the nightmare charm, the love charm, and a charm against demons of the air. Although these are called orthanna, or charms, they are in fact only
1 See " Siamsa an gheimhridh," p. 133-137.
62
ceAtfu\rhnA t>eAj;A. Aj po beAsjAti eite "oe'n
ITlAc 111, \tAmnA : —
out A An ctmi(iA. [ojtcA] T>O cinji muijte -O'A WAG,
A)1CA -DO CUIjt CjltOpC 'tlA JjtAIC,
peA-oA|t, A-oufoAijic pot,
JO flAltt 5O 1DA1C.
CotAtn Citle fi] te TI-A \,e TI-A ctiACAn * A'f te n-A udx), Aj-oibijic nd cjttucA r^ein, 1 Ti-Ainm AH ACAIJI, AH tilic, 'p An SpiO]tAit>
OUt A An
An c-Am -oo donnAijic lopA An cjioipA^Aib Se te ceupA-6 uinjn no
C|(1C A ctlAb AJUp A CO^lp. T>'f lApjtUlj nA 5AT>U15Ce "66 An £1At>|'.Ap
no c-jiii; "DO t>i Ai|i, " no An |\e eAtjtA |t6iTiAinn-ne ~oo cjnreAnn cxi ?" T)'pfteA5Ai]i iopA Ajup At>«bAifir, "fli bpuit fiAbjtAp nA epic Opm, A5up nl c^Aicim te CAjtA noThAib-pe, Agup JAC Aon "oo beA-|tj.-A;% UA tlnce peo teo, nA •ocimciott, TJO tneAbAfi no 1 ps^io n-onoip -OAtn-pA, ni bei-6 pAbjiAp nA epic 30 b|tAC o|\jtA.
OUtA <O6lt).
AJICA x)o ctup triune
1 n-oo|iup CAC^AC Cjiiopc,
A}i cnuirii,
Cnutii TJO CUAI'O pAn
A'p T>O jnnn •oic x>e'n •oeA'o, Soqtiin IopA Cpiopc
A -oibitic 'p A cup 1 n-eAj.
T)o 6uij\ m6 1 sclO fUAf piofA o tteut -oume Af Con- •QA6 'Oun-iiA-njAtt, AIJ\ A -ocustAp O^CA Illume, A6c Ag
" CteACAn "
63
short prayers or little quatrains. Here are some more of the same which John Mac Mahon wrote down.
THE WHOOPING-COUGH CHARM.
A charm that Mary sent her Son
A charm from Christ's own hand that fell
Peter, it, said, and Paul, it, said,
And John, it, said, that it was well.
Columcille put it to his heart
And to his side and to his bosom
To banish the powerful whooping-cough
In the name of the Father and of the Son and Holy Spirit.
A CHARM AGAINST TREMBLING.
When Jesus beheld the cross upon which he was to be crucified His bosom and his body shook. The thieves asked him was it fever or trembling that was on Him, " or is it with terror at us that you shake"? Jesus answered and said, "There is no fever nor trembling on me, and I do not shake out of fear of you ; and every one who shall bring these lines with them, around them, by heart or in writing, in honour of me, there shall never be fever or shaking upon them."
A TOOTH CHARM.
A charm which Mary sent to her Son
In the door of the city of Christ,
Against maggot, against ache, against worms of the head.
A maggot has wrought in the flesh
And is eating the tooth away, I cry unto Jesus Christ
To banish it and to slay.1
I printed before a piece from the mouth of a man in the county Donegal, which is called Mary's " Ortha," i.e.,
1 Literally, " A mnggot which has got into the flesh | and has made destruction of the tooth | I call on Jesus Christ | to banish it or put it to death."
64
j'o piojM eite -oe'n Aimn ceATmA t>o r5H'°o -ouine An TilAtgAtiinAij, triAjx
coip t>e.
t>o £t\i(t An optA fo, A5«f ACA innui CIA t>6 *oo tei^e^f i, no tteAjvpAf PA -oeApA A IfiigeAt), no lomcopap* i, 50 fAOppA|\ 6 OAf obAnn 6, triAf\ AC^ ceine, uirje, Aguf cdrhjAAC. "P6ij\pit) p beAn ] -oceineAf temb, ACc A cup [uij\|\i] no A teigeA-o t)i; no An cij Ann A tnbeit) fi ni beit) bAOgAl A
A tlgeAUnA |i6i-nntif lop^ C^iofr, A Aon-filic An ACAJI, A tiA n-AnigeAt, A )ilic tiA IllAij'ome -po-jtonrhAit, cutiixvMg, A l An peACAc bocc, Ajup fAojv me Af JAG cjtUA-6-CAf Atin
•QO-tACAIH, AJUf ACA CUJAm.
O A rtlAij-oeAn jt6)iniA|t A ttlACAiji T)e, A beAn of JAC ceim, ACA •oionjiTiAlcA -oo jAi motA'6, -oeAn eA-QA^-jui-oe AJI mo fon-fA, An peACAc bocc, cum -oo ttlic JIIA-OAIS pein. O A bAinci5eA|tnA |io riA miLtfeAtcA, A lilACAiti nA n-AmjeAl Ajuf nA n-A|fo- f6|ttAij A^tif fAoji me 6 JAC olc •O'A troeACA X>'A bpuit tAicfteAC, A5«f ACA c«5Am. O A blAit nA iAnc, A •oeAttnA-6 nA n-eAfpot, A -ooccuif nA n-AingeAt, A nA n-oij. A fmuAineAX) «AccA|iA6 nA n-AinjeAt n-A|tt)-Ain5eAt, 5«ix)im tu 50 tucJAi^eAc fA gAn me -oo c n-Aimpn c]nc-eA5tAc An b<.\if, nuAijt fjA^j-Mix) m' AnAm co^p te ceite, ionnuf 50 x>cAifbeAn|?Ainn me pein 1 bpiA-onuife x>o ttlic jjuvoAij pein, Ajuf 50 bpAJjAuin An jtoin f io)t]<ui-6e mAitle ]u\>. A -peulcion HA fAimije, A -oojitiip ceAmpoilt t)e, A pilAip 1of A Ctiiopc, ip c« t cuAn nA f lAinrre. O ! A blAit nA bpeACAc, A •ootctiip Iwcu An cjteintm, A cobAtfi HA cjiocAijte, A -6eAlt)iAt> HA 11-615 A'P JAC AingiL, ip e -oo conbA|tpAit) ^ip nA h-Aingit Ajup jtip nA h-A]ro-Atn5il, -oo beiji pApA-6 x)6ib cum An ceAinpoilt Ann A bpuit -oo piubAt, t>o •out i -ocAifbe -oAonA. O A bAinpioJAin |io
* '"OiompojiAp" x)O P5|uob An peAjt, lAbAiftceAft "tomcAji "lompAjt. "
65
charin or prayer, but here is another piece of the same mime which somebody wrote in Mac Mahon's book as follows.
MARY'S ORTHA [another version].
On a tomb was this ortha found, and there is this much virtue in it that whoever shall read it, or shall cau^e it to be read, or shall carry it about him, shall be free from sudden death, such as fire, water, and death-iu-fight. It shall help a woman in child-sickness only to put it on her or read it to her ; also the house in which it shall be, there shall be no fear of its being burnt.
0 VERY-SWEET LORD JESUS CHRIST, 0 One-Son of the Father, 0 God of the angels, 0 Sou of the Virgin, very glorious, pro- tect 0 Jesus the poor sinner, and save me from every distress in which I am at present and which may approach me.
0 glorious Virgin, mother of God, 0 woman above every degree who art perfect for every praise, make intercession on behalf of me the poor sinner to thy own beloved son. 0 very precious Queen of sweet- ness, 0 mother of the angels and of the archangels, relieve and save me from every evil that has passed me by, that is now present, or that is approaching me. 0 blossom of the patriarchs, 0 illumination of the apostles, 0 hope of the angels, 0 beauty of the virgins, 0 upper- most thought of the angels and the archangels, I pray thee joyously (sic.) not to forsake me in the fearsome time of death, when my soul and my body shall part one from the other, so that I may show my- self in the presence of thy own beloved Sou, and gain the eternal glory along with Him. 0 star of the sea, O door of the temple of God, O palace of Jesus Christ, thou art the harbour of health. 0 blossom of the sinners, 0 hope of the believers, O well of mercy, 0 illumination of the virgins and of every angel, it is thy conversation with the angels and the archangels that gives them satisfaction that the temple in which
tin-Ate "trcu," t>or5H'°b AII rSH'lineom "bup,"
66
OIJIOCAJIC tiA mittpeAccA, Ajup AJI neijtc, bup tup.\ tejt
CGAC 5Ac pAOCAp;, Ajjtip bup cjiioc-pA ip LucjjAifteAc SAC Ain^eAt
A5ur 5Ac Ajro-AinjeAt. O A loriiAiji (?) * tiA c^ocAijie tiomnuijim
Ajup-offiijimme'pem mo ppioftA'o Ajupmo cojup Ajup ino pmuAince,
'onnup 50 •ccAicneocAinn fnot f em, Agup le x>' lilAc m
Oio-6 niAjt fin.
te f<it) 1 troMig ^\n c^bAic. T)o ^gjiiot!) mo C^fVA Com m^c 11eiLt i o beul t1liCe^\iL lilic , 6 Coti-o^e tiluig 66, ^guf tug ^e t)xMn i.
Occ tAn "oeAg TJC -jioitij pAt>ftAi5, T>e b^Ac tifti^'oe, x>e CjtiopcA, rie jbAtAp nA UotriA, "o" eAjl/Aif T)e, l/e •o'An.Atn Ajup te h-AtiAm An ce A jiAib AH cobAC po op A cionti " — nu\ bionn pe op cionn x>uine — "Au te h-AnAm tiiA^b pupjA-oopA 50 Vi-iomtAn.
IIA^I bu-6
5llAtlA gAITItie Afl Ail C^AI
DA jiibeACA peij\ ^5 pAp,
HA b|tAoncA •OIU'ICCA Ajt An
DA An meAX) pm beAnnAccA te •D'AHAITI,
Agup te h-AnAtn nA niA^b 50 h-iomtAn,
'S te rn-AnAm pem A-p -UAIJI mo bAip,
1p te T)tA -oi'-oionn poittpe Agup stoi]i nA bptAiceAp C •o' AnAm
"DO f)uine t>eiC A t>6ile, if -AtriUMt) but) Ce^jvc T)6 beit buroe^c^ fon An cobxuc, ^guf 'f fo fgeut be^g-oo fgpiob An TUAltAC 6 b6At An liliCeAit tilic TluATCjAig CeuvonA, ^5 cup i "oCiinn ut c6iv *MT)i\ AH cobAic T>O \A~O 6 Am
* LAITI eite, ni tAm An teA-o-pjuibneo^A, -oocuin An pone Aft An m. b'eiT)iji 5«ft "umAifi but) 661)1 T>O bit Ann.
1 This is said only when t,he t-o^anoo ws taken and given at a wake.
67
they walk may go to human profit (sic.), 0 very precious Queen of sweetness and of our strength, it shall be thou through whom every labour is endurable (?) and it shall be through thee that every angel and archangel is joyous. 0 trough (?) of mercy I bequeath and I direct myself, my spirit, my conscience, and my thoughts, so that I may be pleasing to thyself and to thy greatly-loving Son. Be it so.
Here is a prayer to be said after tobacco. My friend, John Mac Neill wrote it down from the mouth of Michael Mac Rury or Rogers, from the county Mayo, and gave it
to me.
PRAYER AFTER TOBACCO.
Eighteen fulls of the churchyard of Patrick, of the mantle of Brigit, of the tomb of Christ, of the palace of Rome, of the church of God, be with thy soul (and with the soul of him above whose head was this tobacco),1 and with the souls of the dead in Purgatory all together.
May not more numerous be The grains of sand by the sea, Or the blades of grass on the lea, Or the drops of dew on the tree, Than the blessings upon thy soul And the souls of the dead with thee, And my soul when the life shall flee.3
It is for God to give shelter, light, and the glory of the heavens to the soul of the dead of Purgatory.
Just as a person should be thankful to God for his meals so in like manner should he be thankful for his tobacco ; and here is a short story that John Mac Neill wrote down from the mouth of the same Michael Mac Rury or Rogers, which gives us to understand that it is right to say the tobacco prayer from time to time.
'* Literally : May not more numerous be | the grains of sand on the shore | or the blades of grass growing | or the drops of dew on the crop | than all those blessings with thy soul | and with the souls of the dead all together | and with my own soul at the hour of my death
OS
sj;eut AH An cob^c.
tti beAn Ann pA-o 6, Ajup bi Aon riiAc AtriAin AICI. tluAip cAinij pe i n-Aoip cuip pi 1 5cotAipce e Ajup pinne pi pA5<spc •oe. CAp eip A ceAcc 6'n j^otAtpce 5i pe cAtriAtt beAj geApp 'pAr> nibAite ; A^up bi pe t-a AmAin AJ ppAipx>e6pAcc Amtn j pAn njAiptMn, Ajup 'cAinij nAom op A ceAnn AS«P tAbAijt pe An«Ap tetp. Ajup x>ubAijic pe teip An pAjAjit, 50 p;Aib pe p.ein Ajup An meA^o •oo bAin t)6, "OAmnAijte mAp; jeAtt Ap. A mACAip;.
T)'piAppui5 An pAjAp;r -oe, CIA An coip -oo p,inne A riiAtAip;, Ajup t>ubAip;c An nAom teip 50 pu\ib pi [AJ] CAtceArii cobAic te X>A bliAx>Ain t)eA5 A5up nAp. -oubAipc pi pAit)iji An cobAic A|i An pin.
'"OotiA 30 teop;," Ap; pAn pAjAp;r, " bpuil p.ux> Ap bit 6 pl AnuApte pin -oo p.ei-6ceAc ?" Ap; pAn pAjApc.
" tli'l ACC Aon put) AriiAin," Ap; peipeAn, " Agup 'pe peo, rupA ApceAC cuij -oo riiAtAip; mmp r>\ mA|t CA intupce x>«ic-pe, A5up niup [inunA] mbi' pi pAprA teip An b<jp -o'puiltnj mnp(6c.\p mipe x>uic-pe, p;AT>Ap;c A|« "outcce ptdiceAp ni peicpix> ^00 tTiACAijt nA Aomne -O'A bunA-o 50 bpAC."
" CIA An bAp e ? " Ap PAH pA5Apc leip.
"CAicpi-ofi teijeAn -ouic-pe," Ap; peipeAn "A pjlAttA-o [mtti- jeAppA-6] h-uile jpemi X>'A col-Aitin com mm te pnAoipin."
CuAtt) An pAjAjic ipceAC Ann A CBAC, Ajup UAtAC cpom Ap; A cpoi-oe. Sui-6 pe Ap; CACAoip, Ajup bi bpon mop te peiceit Ann A
6AT)An. "O'flAjrpAlj An ITIACAlp "OC CC [CAT) 6] bi A1p, AJUp CJteAt) t)
eipij -66 6 cuAi-6 pe AniAc.
"A\ ni't opm ACC ctnppebeAj." Ap peipeAn, <(ioeAp5 TDAm piopA A mACAip," AH peipeAn, "bux> mAic tiom gAt cobAic pAJAit."
'"OeAp^ocA-o, Ajup pAitce," Ap pipe, "pAOit me, A muipnin," Ap pipe, " nAc pAib cu CAiceAm cobAic."
" Al b'et-oip 50 mbAinpeA-6 jAt Ancutppe peoT>iom,"Ap peipeAn.
b'piop An pjeut. Cuip pi pptAnc 'pAt1 bpiopA Ajvip cAp etp A pAic T>O CAiceAm -oe'n piopA, peACAi-o pi -oo'n pAjApc e, Ajup niop •oubAipc pi AII pAi-oip. ^5«p pin e An c-A-obAp AmibAipc An pAjApc tei An piopA t)eAp5AX), cemce (?) 50 nx>eAppAT:> pi An pAix>tp, ACC niop -oubAipc.
'"OonA 50 teop ! " Ap pAn pA5A|tc Ann A inncinn pein.
T)'innip An pAjApc t)1 mAp -o'lniup An nAorri •06, Ajup CAIC pi i
69
STORY OF THE TOBACCO.
There was a woman in it long ago, and she had an only son. When he came to age she sent him to college, and made a priest of him. After his coming from the college he was a short little while at home ; and he was one day walking out in the garden when there came a saint [in the air] over his head and spoke down to him, ?nd told the priest that he himself and all who belonged to him were damned on account of his mother.
The priest asked him what was the crime his mother had committed, and the saint told him that she was smoking tobacco for twelve years and she never said the tobacco prayer all that time.
" Bad enough " ! saya the priest, " is there anything at all down from heaven to set that right " ? says the priest.
" There's nothing but one thing alone," says he, " and this is it. When you go in to your mother tell her as I have it told to you. And unless she shall be prepared to suffer the death that I'll tell you, not a sight of the country of heaven will your mother or anyone of her family see for ever."
" What death is it ! " said the priest to him.
" She must let you," says he, "carve every bit off her body as fine as sneeshin."
The priest went into the house and a heavy load on his heart. He sat upon a chair and there was great grief to be seen in his face. His mother asked him what was on him, and what had happened to him since he went out.
" Ah, there's nothing on me but a little weariness," says he, " kindle the pipe for me mother," says he, " I'd like to get a blast of tobacco."
" I'll kindle it and welcome," says she, " I thought avourneen," says she, " that you were not using tobacco."
" Ah, maybe a whiff would take this weariness off me," said he.
True was the story. She put a coal in the pipe, and after smoking enough of the pipe herself she handed it to the priest, but she never said the prayer. And that was the reason the priest had told her to kindle the pipe, hoping that she would say the prayer, but she did not.
" Poor enough ! " said the priest in his own mind.
The priest told her then as the saint had told him, and she thr«<jr
70
pem Afi A T>A jlum AJ; 5«ix>e T>e Ajup 45 peilc nA iroeoji, ASH;', <\\\ pipe, "ceA-o pAitce jtoim gjiAfCA T>e, Ajuf mA fe An bAf ex>o 56 Alt T)IA -oAtn CA me fAftA AJI A pulAinj. gAb ATDAC A mic Atioip," AJI pipe, "A5up n«Aiji benbeAp mipe feni -ouic-pe te -out i scionn •o'oibpe, gtAO-ofAi-o me AfceAC t«."
(iuAi-6 An f AJA^C AtnAc, Aj lei^eAxi Ajtif A^ juiiDe "Oe 50 -out-
•flACCAC.
[T)o] mj Ajuf j;^At1 ATI niAi;Ai|A J f em. fuAip f i bfiAittince AJU^ f56AnncA 5eu|iA fiei-6, ^e II-ASAI-O nAh-oibjie, Ajtip nuAip bi' f o|ic fieix>ce AICI 5lAox) f i Af CBAC Aft An pAjAjic. CAfic -oe'n fA5A]ic A^I A coif CAinij An cAitneAm of A ceAnn Ajuf -oubAipc fe leif 50 |iAib mAiteAmnAf f AjAitce AJ A bunA-6 uittj [wile] i n-ei-ptc A bpeACAix», T>e bA-p^ An Ait|ti5e •oucftAccAc teif [cAft eif] A -oeAnAth, A5«f An c-An-b,\f -oo bi fi te n-A
ATI fAjAfr AfceAC cum AH cie Ajtif licgAijie mof; A|t A cpoixie, A5tif bi A mACAift f inre AH pAt) A •o-pomA A-JI ATI mboftx) Ajuf f «iti Aguf tAi^ifn, Aj«f A t>A tAim fince AIHAC UAICI, i AJ jui^e T)e, Ajuf -OA f5?n JBAJI te n-A cAoib, Aguf A^t fAn lei, "61^15 fUAf, AmAtAi|\," AJI feifeAn, "ci mAiccAmnAf f.AJAitce A5Am 6 |nj nA njjiAfCA Ann Aft bpeACAixiib, Ajuf cin|itm impi-oe ofic Anoif 6'n iA po AmAc nA -oeAn -oeA|imAT> jAti pAi-otji AH
CObAIC Atc« JAX) fUAf JO •OUC'flACCAC '6 AOn UAIft CAICCAf CU 6."
b'piop An f jeul. Hi jiAib ^on UAIJI 6'n IA f m 50 -ori An tA mACAi|i An cfAjAiiic Aim fAn ^cfte. nA]( AtcAij fi An pAi-oi|< 50 1ouc|tAcrAc "oo "CiA i x)o'n lilAij-om jt6jimAi|i. -Ajuf CA nA feAn--oAome A^ put) nA cifie AJ AtcuJA-o An pAixnp. ccA-onA [50] tAeceAriiAil, Agup beix), pAn 'p beix>eAp pocAt • beo A}t oiteAn jlAp
fo oftA eile -oo vu^ip tn6 i teAlDaji ^xn 1f cofttiuil 511 j\ xjnAjAit) cmnif tiA n-^\6 6. out<\ eile.
-oo cui^i T)iA PA cliAb CfiiopCA, cuiji peAt)Ap, cui)i pot, cui|t Coin -oo bAipc Cjtiopc, cui|i tnuijte Ajwp SeAnAii * A leijeAnc cpeAnAt(?] Anoip. AbpcAt pionn -oo -o' leijeAp, AbpcAt -oonn TOO
* "cSeAnAn" pAn
71
herself on her two knees praying God and shedding tears, and, said she, " a hundred welcomes to the graces of G ud, and if it is the death that G od has promised me I am satisfied to suffer it ; go out now my son," says she, " and when I'll be ready for you to get to your work I'll call you in."
The priest went out, fervently reading and praying to God.
The mother washed and cleaned herself. She got sheets and sharp knives ready for the work, and when she had everything prepared she called the priest to come in. And as the priest turned round on his foot, the brightness came over his head again, and it said to him that all his family had found forgiveness for their sins, on account of the earnest repentance that his mother was after making, and the awful death that she was fully satisfied to suffer.
The priest came into the house, and a great joy in his heart, and his mother was stretched on the length of her back on the table, and sheets under her and over her, and her two hands stretched out from her, and she praying God, and two sharp knives by her side, and, says the priest to her, " rise up mother," says he, " I have got forgiveness from the king of the graces, for our sins, and I beseech you now from this day out, do not forget to diligently offer up the tobacco prayer every time you use it."
And true was the story. There was never a time from that day till the day that the priest's mother went into the clay that she did not earnestly offer up the prayer to God and to the glorious Virgin.
And the old people throughout the country [added the reciter, talkiny of West Mayo] are offering up that same prayer daily, and they shall do go as long aa a word of our Irish language shall remain alive on the green island of the saints.
Here is another charm which I found in Mahon's book. It appears to be against sickness of the liver.
ANOTHER CHARM.
A charm which God put beneath the breast of Christ ; Peter put, Paul put, John who baptized Christ put, .and Senanus ***** (V) A white apostle to cure thee. a brown apostle to cure thee, the
"72
t>' leije^f, AbftAt Aom rhic t)e T>O t>' teijeAf, cvnj (?) An teAC
f'teAITIAn ACA fA CUtlTOAC X)O cteib AJUf ATI mCAtt OT>Afl * X>A
•OCUJCAJI A]t riA h-eAJ. gtii-oim 01115 ttlmjie Ajup SeAnAin c'oct> •oo beic fLAn Ajuf cfeAriAt •oo beic jieij.
AS fo o\\tA 'DO itinAot i •QcmneAf teinb, o'n ^ic
eigm c
-60
mbuAn-bjtAC,
t)}iAc f o ti-Aji jeineAX) C^i S A T)CAini5t Cfiioft Af. " A ttlui^ie poift AH beAn ACA i n-eAgtA An bAif." "1p6\\\ pem i A ttlic
O 1|" AJAT) ACA,
.t)Aij'ce teif An njem
CAbAi|( An beAn ftA
UtiAit)f\i5 Agup niAji CuAlAit) mife e 1 llopcotriAin, Aguf i n-AiceACAitJ eile, cpeit)im.
beAnnuigAt) An tti"6.
t)AiL nA JCU15 A|iAn Ajtip An X»A lAfj niA^t ^otnn "OiA AJI nA mite fCA|t.
UAC 6'n 1115 "oo -pinne An -pomn
A}1 Aft 5CU1-0 'f A|1 Aj'< JJCOth-fttHtltJ.J
beAnnugAt) CAU 6is tii'6.
"OiA 5|(Af [.i. T)e6 5fiAt:iAf] iopA, mite motAT) m6]t buix>eA6Af •ouic AT!)IA. A ttluifie An ce cwg An beAtA pn -ouinn 50 fe An beACA fio^tiui-oe A^uf Stoifi nA bptAiteAf -OA'JI Amen A
" oujt " fAn tYlS.
f SsfiobcA mAfi "fnA rAine cfi. Af ," ACC m teip -CAm fin. % Aj fin mA|i cuAtAi-6 rrnfe e o ttinjiT) m C^ioniAiX) 1 jcotroAe UofcomAin. 1f fMOft-'"Oeibn:>e " An T>A tine feo.
73
apostle of the one Son of God to cure thee, from(?) the smooth flag that is under the cover of thy breast, and the grey lump which is brought upon thy liver. I pray to Mary and Senanus that thy breast may be sound and thy channel (?) may be free.
Here is a charm from the same place for a woman in child-birth. Mr. Faherty found a charm something like it in Connemara.
A CHARM FOR A WOMAN.
The mantle of the lasting-mantles
The mantle of the four crosses
The mantle beneath which Christ was bora
And out of which Christ came.
" 0 Mary succour this woman Who is in fear of death."
" Succour her thyself 0 Son Since it falls to thee. Baptism for the birth And bring the woman safe."
Ileie is a food-blessing or grace, as Michael MacKury had it, and as I have also heard it in the county Roscom- mon, and I think elsewhere.
GRACE BEFORE MEAT.
The good of the five loaves and of the two fishes as God divided them on the five thousand men.
Luck from the king who made the division On our share and on our co-division.1
GRACE AFTER MEAT.
Deo gratias, O Jesus. A thousand great praises and thanks to thee 0 God. 0 Mary, He who gave us that food, may He give eternal life and the glory of the Heavens to our soul. Amen, 0 Lord !
1 This must be very old. These two lines are in perfect Deibhidhe metre, for the requirements of which see my " Literary History of Ireland," p. 483.
As r° be AS An "oe pAi-ope<\CAiti 5eAf\|rA eite T>O puAip me 6m1 C-AjtAiT) Uoiru\p O CoinCeAtin.Airm 6 1nmp- meAt)on. Hi optAnn^ IATJ po ^6c pAit>f\e.AC4 be-AjjA G&Appuige^CcA iAt>, mAf\ n .A pAit>f\e.A<i4 ge^ujvA eile "oo tug me f\oirhe fe6.
A bAitmiojAin tiA
A bAuiftioJAtn DA bpLAt
Ajuf A -pig 5it tiA tlAc leAC-fA jntoim mo 6&fAOto
x\]t iT)Ait>in HA leij me AJI
-Ace cuiji me AH An eo 50 pobAtl. AII
50 fitpim
A "6iA,
5161^1 A 'OiA riAomtA, ip tso'n ACAi|t pioitiiuixie Ajuf sLoift "oo'n SpiofiAX) i|i TDo'n iteutc eol/Aif 'S -O'A AOTI mAC-f An lofA mile gtoiji piofittui'oe "Oo'n ^115 [-00 -pinne AJI n-ot-oionn] "Oo'n ^115 -o' lomcAin An c|totf 'S e -out 'ceAnnAc An cine TD
AS po cuplA p^iTiif tte^s eile -oo liltupe •oo CuAldit) me C'n
A mume
A ttlui^e -oi
If cw •oi-oionn JAC
1 Literally : 0 Queen of Heavens | and 0 bright King of mercy | Is it not to thee I make my complaint | In the morning and evening | Do not let me go astray | But show me the right way (literally : put me on the knowledge) to the people of the mass | until we shed the tears. | Glory 0 God, glory 0 God, glory 0 God, holy | Glory to
to
Here are a few other short prayers which I got from my friend, Thomas Concannon, from Innismaan. They are not charms but simply little metrical prayers like the other short prayers I have given before.
O THOU QUEEN.
0 them Queen of the Heavens l
And 0 thou bright King of k'mlness, 1/ioh morning and evening
Unto you I bewail my blindness ; I>3 not let me go wander
But lead me with kindness To the house of devotion,
Repentant and crimeless.
God of glory, God of glory,
God of glory, only, Glory to the Father still
And to the Spirit glory, Glory to our guiding-star,
All glory unto Jesus, And a thousand glories fall
Round the king who frees us, Round the king who bore the cross
And buys, by death, and frees us.
Here are a couple of little prayers to Mary Mother which I heard from the same.
THOU MARY.
Thou Mary knowest2
The lowest sinner's contrition,
the Father eternal | And glory to tho Holy Spirit | Glory to the guiding star. | And His one-son, Jesus | And a thousand glories eternal | To the King who has defended us | To the King who has carried the cross | And lie going to buy the human race.
'.II y : O dear Mary | Thou art the protector of every sin
76
5«ix> of»m, JAC puince, *
Ajup nA teig me coix>ce r,
A tilmfie beAnnuijre tr)AcAfix>A
niAi^-DeAn jeAt jlejeAl ACA 5Ati
An jloiji AcA 1 bplAiccAmnAp riltc T)e 50 ^(Aib pi AjAinn Aft UAiji Aft
se *oo tteAtA 'rhtnne.
Se -oo beACA
AcA tAn x>e j A5«p pe -oo beACA tinn-ne
T)o fiujAT) Ann | nA6 beAnnuijce An
A A mACAift beAnnuijte ACA Ann fAn bptAiceAf
i^r: ?] Aft 7115 nA n^Af, lAjiftAim A3uf Accwmsmi o|tc m •oo beic CAicneAriiAC Ann -oo IACAHI, Anoif A^uf AJI UAIJI mo
A 1OSA. A lOfA, A ttlut|te, A nAorii 1ofe-p
m' AnAm Ajuf mo citoixie 50 x>eo Ajt UAIJI mo
tine le
" A t>j:uil cpi fioltAit) Ann, Agti An jotA Af\ An CeAD-fiollA "oe'n f:ocAl. t)o tug me pAix)i|\ jeApp, f UAf .1. " Coil "Oe 56 n'oeAnAtriAoi'O " ACA cumtA 50 'oij^eAC Ann fAn mOt) ceAT>nA.
"oe. t)e 50 n-oeunAtnAoit)
T)e 50 Aji b«Al,AX> C|iiofc 50
* " .1. Ann f JAC pone," no motmro.
ner | Pray for me at every point (moment) | And do not let me for ever be damned | 0 blessed mother Mary | Maiden while, bright-
77
Pray for me, hear me,
And steer me safe from perdition.
0 blessed Mary, O motherly Mary,
Thou white bright maiden without one stain,
May the glories of Heaven around God's throne Receive my soul from the death of pain.
ALL HAIL TO THEE MARY. All hail to thee Mary1
Who savest from danger, And hail unto Him
Who was born in a manger, How blessed the infant
Who came as a stranger.
0 BLESSED MOTHER.
0 blessed Mother who art in Heaven pleading (?) with the king of the graces, I ask and beseech of thee that Dry soul may be pleasing in thy presence, now and at the hour of my death.
0 JESUS.
0 Jesus, 0 Mary, and 0 Joseph,
1 offer my soul and my heart to you for ever Now and at the hour of my death.
Here is a little short prayer that I heard from the same. Every line is ended by an active-verb of three syllables, and the accent falls on the first syllable. I have already given a short prayer composed in precisely a similar manner, i.e., " The will of God be done by us."
THE LAW OF GOD. The law of God may we perform The Commandments of God may we keep, On the beating of Christ may we muse,
white, who art without a stain | The glory that is in the Heavens of the Son of God | May it be with us at the hour of our dealh.
1 Literally ; Hail 0 Mary | Who art full of grace ! And hail to us | [He] who was born in the stable | Is it not a blessed infant | That one that is in thy arms ?
78
j;l6ifi tiA t>ptAiceAp 50
ceot binn TIA n-AinjeAt 50 gclumtmi-o.
T)o £UAip in6 AOfVAn •oid'OA eile, cumtA AJ\ AD n6p lonsAtiCACpo, 6 SeutriAf O ITlAOliriuAi'O (no O ttlAOiltHA tr»Ap rspiolDArm peipeAn An c-Ainm) ACA 'nA C6iiinuit>e i 5ClUAin-bu lAirh le "Opium "Opeipin, 1 gcon^Ae TIA ^AiUirhe. t)i An -0^11 fo ^5 feAn-fe^p, T)X\I\ t>' nii<ieAt 0 CongAlxMg -oo rsniot) e i tiupeACAi •DO p^ip puAime n<x ttpocAl, ACc ni 't fiof
An spiORAiD
A" SplO^AI'D nAOIlT) JO
Ann fAti gcjiefoeAm pioji 50 SotnptA TIA bpijieun 50
A3«r 1 tJCeAITlpott 6flOfCA 50
An Ctiionoit) Si6jt^«i'6e 50 n-i -d|t trootcuf i n-lofA 50 Aji teAc-cjiom TIA tnbocc 50 x>o jieift cotA * T)e 50
An "OiAbAil f'AlAij 30 -oo teAjApg An cLei)t 50 n- AnAJAi-6 jA6 loir 50 X)cnoit>imix), A^up 6 Aicjup nA mb|ieA5 50
te cvimtotJAp; t b|iui5CAnA6 n&\\ Ace utiiiAijjie cp;AibceACA 30 Ciox>lAicce A|i •oCijeA^tiA 50
6 r-A|i n-o^oc-beApAib 50 n-Atfiuijtnn).
*"coileAc" -oubAi^c peipeAn, ti.e., " c6riilwA'OA}i."
1 / have attempted to preserve something of the spirit of the original metre in this translation, but have been unable to carry out the " tour de force" which in the Irish makes every line, except in the last verse, end in a trisyllabic verb, with the accent on the antepenult syllable.
2 Literally : The graces of the Ho'y Ghost may we gain | And in the true faith may we dwell | The example of the righteous may we follow | And in the temple of Christ may we abide.
79
The glory of the Heavens may we see,
And tiio sweet music of the angels may we hear.
I got another religious song composed in this very strange fashion from James M alloy (Mweel-yeea he pronounces his name in Irish) who lives at Clonboo near DrumgrilMn, county Galway. An old man named Michael Conolly heard this poem and he wrote it down phoneticahy in English characters ; but he does not know who composed it.
THE GRACES OF THE HOLY GHOST.1
May the grace of the Holy Ghost be gained by us,2 And the true Faith be kept unstained by us, While we follow the path of the saints, endeavouring To walk in the temple of Christ unwavering.
And may we seek the eternal Trinity Trusting in Christ and in ChrUt's divinity, Helping the poor and relieving them Walking with God and receiving them.
Devils that tempt us, still repelling them. All our faults — to the Church confessing them. Fighting with all that wounds, with energy, Ceasing from lies and evil calumny.
Let us not mix with strife and devilry, Fall we to prayer instead of revelry, Thanking the Lord for all his graciousnesi Throwing aside our evil ways from u«.
The eternal Trinity may we seek | Our trust in Jesus may we place | The hardships of the poor may we relieve | And according to the will of God may we walk.
The temptations of the foul devil may we repel | And to the teaching of the clergy may we submit | Against every hurt may we fight | And from the speaking of lies may wo separate.
With quarrelling company let us not mix | But pious prayers let us practice j The gifts of our Lord let ua offer-thauka-ior j And from our evil habits may we change.
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Aft mbeACA mi-tiiA3AlcA 50
Afi n-Ati-coit pem 50
JAC uite irieA-o pcACAi-6 50
t>iAt>A 50 neAficutijrm-o.
te n-Aji •oceAnjcACAib 50 6 cjiAOf nA metf.^e 50 pjAfiAtnAOfo, Aji HA h-tiitc A|ti]' nA|i pllimi-o,
ACC Alt|tt5C tflACAITlAlt JO ITOeUtl AtHAOIT).
feAn-tuiB|ie * peACAit) 50 f n-eAf-CAfiAix) fAOJAtcA 50 tnAicirm-o, gcoinpAf [50] -po-riiAit 350
Cviit> tiuine eiLe TIA CumAnn JAC t)uine 50
llArTIAIt) AJ1 Tl-AlimA 50 f AJ1U151T11X),
Ann fAn njeAmnuijeAcc tiuAin 50 mAijmni-o t
CLu nA coriiAjifAn 50
xMtcAiiiiCA t)e 50 jcomitt'onAmAOit),
Aon n-oume ie peijij nAft f Airittjt5ini-o (?)
A'f le f^nnAil Aon nt>ume n^i fAlutj;iv.it>.
Ann fAn bpi^mne molcA 50 tlA CjiiocA TjeijeAnnACA 50 meA&)i«i A|t -oiol (?) nA tpuAije 50 5C 50
*no b'ei-oifi "luibeAnnA." Hi |t.\ib fe cmnce CIA ACA bux> •oo beit Ann.
tjo " x>rAji|iAi5imit> " TiubAijic feifeAn, ACC ni tetji -6&m j'in.
Our irregular life may we amend | And our own immoderate-will may we chasten | Every condition (literally " size ") of sin may we avoid | And in godly friendship may we grow strong.
A bridle on our tongues may we place | From the gluttony of drunkenness may we part | To evils again let us not return | But timely repentance may we make.
The acts of fasting let us not break | Every old leprosy (aliter, plant)
81
Our life disorderly — now amending it ;
Our evil will — no more defending it ;
All sorts of sin avoiding carefully,
In friendship with God rejoicing prayerful'y.
Bridling the tongue so prone to mutiny, Shunning drunkenness, shunning gluttony, Never to evil again inclining us, Seeking repentance made in time by us.
Never forsaking the rule of abstinence, Plucking away the evil plants in us, Always forgiving earthly enmities, Purging clean our guilty consciences.
The goods of other men never eavying, Never wantonly making enemies, Fighting the foe of the soul for victory, Living for ever a life of chastity.
As our own, our friend's fame, cherishing, God's commandments obey in everything, Oaths of anger for aye abandoning, Blackening no one, no one scam'alling.
Speak we the praise of the truth, not slumbering, The end of the whole, each d«y remembering, Helping the po^r and those in wretchedness, Musing on Christ and on His blessedness.
of sin let us destroy | Our earthly opponent let us forgive | And our conscience very-well let us cleanse,
The portion of another let us not envy | The affection of each person let us keep | The enemy of our soul may W8 tire out | And in perpetual chastity may we live.
The reputation of [our] neighbour may we keep [for him] | The Com- mandments of God may we fulfil j A single person, with anger, let us not * * (?) | And let us not stain one person by a scandal.
In the truth may we speak praises | The final ends may we remem- ber | The deserving (?) of pity let us assist | And on the passion of Jesun (Jurist let us consider.
82
£tot fi nA bptAiceAp 50
DA ytACA CA O}1}1Ainn 50 n-IOCAtnAOIT),
tc ctAotiA-6 AJI n-mncmn 50 ti-uriituijmiT), Afi 5 "conpiceoji" te -ovitfiAcc 50 n-
te pA)foun An AIJTO-HIJ; 30 t>{MnAmAoix>, teip An cSACjiAmieit) tiAoiiiCA 50 te beAnnAcc T)e Ajup THnne 50
* conjnAtii tiA nAorii A!f tiA n-Abj'CAt 50 -ocuittinut).
beAnrtAcc IVluijte 'f tlAom l6]*ep 50 te bAf beAnnuijce 50 n-imcijmi-o, 5t6t)t nA n-AmjeAl 50 gctoipmiT),
A^I t bAnc-|tAcc triuijte 50 fuit)imtt>
^5 peiceAth nA jloifte ^ite 50 ^A 5"«if riiic T)e 50 bpeictmit) x\5 motAx> 'f AJ 5ju\-6ujAt) T)e 50 te tmn nA fAOJAl. Anien.
"Do CuAtAi* tn6 T)xln px\t)A eite 1 gcon-OAfi thing Go, p A T>cu5.<mAf\ " X)An peAT>Ai|\ SeCije." T)o 6 cuit> T>S pof o tteut feAtvfij\ "oe n^ 51O^"11A1 te CtAp-Ctomne-ltluifip. "Do Cu^tAit) m6
pif 6 pe^p eite, CAO& fiAj\ •ooipin f^n gcon-OAe CeAt)nA, ACc niof\ e. Hi jiAitt x\n T>An lomtAn ^5 ceAtcAjA ACA, cimCiott A teAt "66 no A •d^ t)Cf\iAn eAcopj\A. S-AOit m6 50 txAift An Cum eite T>e'n XMII CAittce, ACc t,\ptA
50 h-AtbAlllAlt, niO 6A{\A All C~AtA1JV 11U\C
"te conjnAtii" T>ut>Ai|tc feifCAn ACC ni teiji -OAtn fin.
t " A^l " = " AmCAf 5 " AJ1 UA11\tb.
The glory of the Heavens may we gain | The debts that are on us may we pay | With inclination our mind may we humble | And the confiteor let us say with diligence.
For the pardon of the High-King let us wait | The Holy Sacrament let us receive | With the blessing of God and man may we walk | And
83
Striving to reach the heaven's holiness. Paying all debts in peace and lowliness, Toning the mind to true tranquility, Saying 'confiteor,' with humility.
Watching for pardon through God's own graciouane£~, Taking the Sacrament He has made for us. Blessings of God and of men still nerving us, Help of apostles and saints preserving us.
Blessings of Mary and Joseph guiding us, Making death blessed when life is partnig us, The angels calling with vo'co of graciousneas, The ladies of Mary making place for us.
"Waiting the coming of pe;sce and righteousness, God's own countenance shining bright on us, Praising and loving God for aye Through worlds of worlds in endless day. Amen.
I heard another long poem in the county Mayo which they called Peter Joyce's Repentance. I wrote part of it down from the moutli of an old man of the Gibbonses near Claremorris. I heard the same poem again from another man, to the west of Ballaghaderreen in the same county, but I did not write it down from him. Neither of them had the entire poem, but about half or two thirds of it between them. I thought that the rest of it was lost, but my friend, Father MacErlean, S.J., luckily happened on a copy of it when he was working in the Royal Irish.
the help of the saints and apostles may we deserve.
The blessing of Mary and of St. Joseph may we get | With a blessed death may we depart | The voices of the angels may we hear | And amongst the female-company of Mary may we sit.
Waiting for the bright glory may we be | The countenance of the Son of God may we see j Praising and loving God may we be | Through- out the worlds. Amen.
84
S. 1., c6ip T>e, nuAip bi pe A£ OOAIJ\ Ann p An TliogArhAit 6if\eAnnAC Ap. i!u\ncAiD T)' mnip p6 ^Am, 50 cmeAtCA, CA 6, i p5p.iot>Ap AtnAC 50 h-iomlAn e t)o p.eip nA c6ipe •oo tti fx\n AcAT>^irh.* SsjAibinn ttluntitieAC t>o t>i Ann , AS up t>i longAnCxif o|\m An tD^n Conn-'
•o'fTiigAll mnct. ^5 fO At1 dO'OAl T)O tti A1|\ :
An Seoi$ o ConT)A6 ttlAige 66 lAirh te tDAite An tl6t>A," Agtif t)o 6|\io6nuig An f5f\iot>n<3if\ mAji fo e, .1. "lAjt nA fgfxiottA* te peAT>Af\ UA Conuit, An 7 tfiA'd "DO 1t4it fAti rnbliAt)Ain "D'Aoif Cfiopc, 1782.
puA|\Af f\6tfu\iin.'' T)o An gctfip fe6 Aguf An 66ip 0 tteul An ^^t'unAig, A6c 50 ttpuit fe 50 niof jMTOe. 11io|\ freut) An 510t)"nA<^ eite innpnc t>Am CIA j\ t>'6 An SeCi$eA<i t>o cum An •OAn pop-Sinn ^lumn fe6, nA CIA An UAIJI A|\ ttiAip pe. t1iof\ cuAtAit) me An t)An AfMAtti CAot> Amuig r»e Cont)Ae tiling 66, AS up T>eip An tAim-pstubinn niAf conncAtnA|\, 5up "lAim le t3Aite-An-"R6bA " Ann fAn gcon-OAe fin, •oo rhAif\ An pile "oo Cum e. 1p copmtiit JUJA CUITIAT!) 6 1 TlAnnuijeAtc 1TI6it\ A\\ t)cup, ACC CA pe |\UT)-beA5 C|AUAiltigte Anoip, Agup CA niop m6 nA peACC piottAit* Ann pAn tine 50 mi me, Agup cpioinuiJceAji *o^ pAinii •oe, te pocAt -DA piottd, put) HAC c6ip. t1i pemiji A Anoip An AititAitb T>O CeAp An Seoi5tev\c, 50 neArii- e, no AH cjuiAittiugAt) e, *oo tAinig AIJ\ Ag
• 23_ L.35.
85
Academy on Jeoffrey Keating's poems. He kinjly told me where I would find it, and I transcribed the whole of it according to the copy in the Academy.1 It is I think a Munster manuscript, and I was surprised to find in it this Connacht poem. Here is the title of it : " The Re- pentance of the Joyce from the county Mayo, close to Ballinrobe," and the scribe finished thus — "after being written by Peter O'Connell, the twenty-seventh day of July, in the year of the age of Christ, 1782. Conclusion, as I found it before me." There is extremely little difference between this copy and that which I wrote down from the mouth of Gibbons, except that it is much longer. Neither Gibbons nor any one else was able to tell me who the Joyce was who composed this melodious and beautiful poem, or when it was he lived. I never heard the poem outside the county Mayo, and the manuscript says, as we have seen, that it was "near Ballin»-obe " in that county that the poet lived who composed it. It was probably originally written in the great Rannuigheacht metre, but it is now somewhat corrupted, and there are frequently more than the correct seven syllables in the line, and two stanzas in it are improperly concluded with dissyllabic words. It is impossible to say now whether that was the way Joyce carelessly composed it, or whether it is a
L.35.
86
•out ^p peAt), b'eitnp, t>4 ce^t) t)lut>Ain, 0 t>eul 50 be ul. AS po AH T>4n.
seoi$e.
If •oomAn* m'ofnA, A'f ni 5411 fAC,
'S if cuiftfeAC An IA 45 FCAJI mo r gAn piof 45 Aen neAC, fif no mnA, CIA An n6f ACAIITI no CIA me.
If peACAc cionncAc mtfe Ar* Anoif i f Atn (?) A£ An CAJ, tli "t ojitAc bACAi)^T5 icnnAtn fL^n te 'n fA-o ACAim i n-AJAit) T)e.
mo tiAij, mo fAjAjtr, niAc nA If mAifj ACA Af; t/Af; 5An 6, 1f e mo jiiotic Anotf, '5 Of Afro,
Ann mo t-Ajt 'nA neAfcoiti cleio.
1 It is extremely interesting to find that even so far back as 120 years ago an attempt was made to translate this poem into English, for the scribe after finishing the Irish text adds, "a translation of the two first (tic.) stanzas of the foregoing poem," which run thus with a very modern air, and with an evident attempt at interlinear rhyme in the closing half of the last stanza.
My sighs are deep and groans are loud
Each night is tedious and the morn, I pass a stranger through the crowd
Unheard, unheeded, and forlorn.
Fell guilt confounds [me ?] in amaze,
Dread Death appears with all his train, Through all my soul corruption sways
For years and days mispent in vain.
It is a pity that the poet, whoever he was, did not complete a translation which begins so well.
87
corruption which oame upon it in passing during perhaps a couple of hundred years from mouth to month.1
THE JOYCE'S REPENTANCE.
Deeply I sigh, and well I may,
And dark is the day for one like me, For no one knows, nor yet know /, Or whence, or why, or who I be.
I am a sinful man of men,
Sin's iron pen my feet have trod,
No single inch in me is whole
So long my soul hath fought with God.
The Son of grace, our priest and leech, (Alas for each who finds not Him !) Now who shall wash ray crimson stain, Or lull the pain in every limb !
This version is almost in the metre of the original, whirh is a corruption of the regular hepiasyllabic Rannuiyheacht Mhor. Literally : Desp is my sigh and not without cause | and weary is the da}' to a man of ray story | without any one knowing, man or woman | what way I am or who am I.
It is a guilty sinner I am [ who is now in the pound (?) of death | There is not a bacard? inch in me whole | I have bean so long against God.
My leech, my priest, son of the graces | alas for who is overthrown without him | my condition is now, [I say] aloud | an arrow in my middle, an ulcer in my breast.
8 An " ordlack bacaird," I hare been told by old people,is the old Irish tradesman's inch, something longer than the ord'ach, which is the same as the English inch. The word " bacard," a carpenter's rule occurs in O'Rorke's Feast also.
88
1p IOTTVOA buitte Af cneAt) 50
A'f gopcuJA-o jAitJceAd AS mil i bpjteim Ay m' ATIAITI bocc, jAn f.iof x>o CAC, O f5A)t mo pAijic te gfiAfAib "Oe.
An cfiAc fAOilim me beic flAn * tli c6mn«i5imt VA 50 troeunAim
mAf, At! tACA A tlj 6'tl ftlATTl
'S A luijeAf i tAjt HA tinne leic'.J
1f CfiuAJ fin otAft 1 nt)o6AH AS x»ut A' fpAijm te fACAc tTlAji feAn-loinj bfiifce A^ m«ni jAti 'S ATI conn bAix>ce AJ fit 'mo
Oc ! mo toic, mo CJIOAC, mo cftA-6, mo b|i6n bAip A'f m' A-obAft tein, mo tijeA|tnA t>'fulAin5 -oo mo
A AJAI-O§ 1 -oc|ieAf.
•OAOJIAT) A-OATTI, A clAtin 'f A t»CAn,
•pA'n utiAlt -oo t)Ain|| T)O neAm-toiV "Oe, 1f mife An ce nAft peuc A|i m'Ai)- 5«|i jteAb PA feAC nA cuij Aicne
ITlA CA1C m6 f6At Afl ATI fCAI-Q T»O
mo cjieA6 ! if geA^tji gup t»u<Ml me, beim, t)o -|ieiji mA|i -D'Apxiij m'AOip A*r m'pA|' (tti5 me j-ttAX) T>O mAl/Aipc beAf.
* Sic. An JiobunAc. 1 n-Aic "fAOitim me beit" CA tAim mo -oeunAm " An fAn ms.
t/Sic. An giobunAd. " CAitim " f*n ms.
J 6'tc. A,n giobunAC. " nA tinne A]\ eif" fAn ms.
§ " A nA^Am" ms.
|| .1. "tjo bAtnc." " -oo beAn " fAn 1YIS.
Many IB the stroke and wound to the bone | and dangerous hurt going to the root | on my poor soul without anyone knowing it | since my affection parted from the graces of God.
When I think that I am whole | I do not stop one day until I make a lio | like the duck that comes from the open-water | and lies in middle of the gray puddle.
89
For sick and sore in branch and root, My foot a direful course did trace, Since first my heart, observed of none, Began to shun the ways of grace.
Just when I think my soul to win. I sin some sin, or lie some lie, As ducks will leave the clearest springs To daub their wings in pools hah dry.
The fight with Death is hard and long ;
(Though Death is strong his pace is slow), Like helpless ships we turn and toss And drift across the waves of woe.
Upon this hinge hangs all my dole, My pain of soul, my bitter smart, That I have warred with Him who brought Me out of nought rebellious heart !
Condemned was Adam, branch and root,
Who plucked the fruit that wrought the fall, But I thrice five commandments break, Nor take my sin to heart at all.
Once was I good, I once was pure,
Whilst yet the lure of sin lay hid ; But as I, ripening, slowly grew, I lusted too for things forbid.
Alas for the sick-patient in the difficulties of death | going to contend with a powerful giant | like an old ship broken on the sea without swimming powers | and the drowning wave rushing after it.
Alas my wound, my despoiling, my destruction | my pain of death aud my cause of misfortune | my Lord who suffered for love of me | and the length of time I am against Him in treason,
Adam and his children and his wife were condemned | for plucking the apple against the will of God I I am he who never looked be- hind , until he rent separately the fifteen commandments.
If I spent a while in the best state | my woe ! it is short until a Mow struck me | according as my age and my growth ripened | I gave love to a change of customs.
90
CpAop, leipse, •oirheAp,
Cnuc, peAps, -opi-iip, A'p plei-6* 'S e beip m'AtiAm Atibp-Atin p. Ann, ftlAp ip ionncA pvi-o -DO cxnp me ppeip.
put) A x>ume flAin Cuiji 1 £CAp 50 bputl cu cpeAn, 50 >ociucpAit)t name 50 mbeix»ifi tnA|t CAim 'S ni Mi-Dtp mAjt CAip Apip 50 h-eA^.
mipe peAtA-o, peAp mAp; cA6,
CA1C 1Tl6 Atl -OACA t)1 Ap tDO
^''o CAim Arioip Ap ftptiAC An 1m1 dtiAilin criAm JATI pic JATI
pon 50 pAit»e piAm, ACA
A' CCACC mo -OAit, 'p ni Anx»iu DA ArnJe,
CpOCA JotA A'p jnAp,
5pAtix»A, A'p mAtAipc beip.
11A pCA-OA peApCA -DO ftAttlj «A11D,
T1i tuj m6 ttiA6 piAm t)O mo
AmApc, meAtriAp , tuc, A'p oibpiujA^o tAth.
opm, JAC te n- puipeAnn cptiAillijce Arm A TI-AIC,
t>Ot)A1pe, bACAOlt, CeACAOll,,§ CpUAp,
UipjeAtt xiuAipc, A'p pxiAc Ap •OAITTI.
rns.
T)o ciocfA-6 " rns. "
. i"56." ms.
§•00 pgpiob tAm eile 1 n-Aic ATI -OA pocAl po "baeghal, ciotgliail, ticpeACAib UomAnACA Ap cAOib nA •ouitleoi5e.
Gluttony, sloth, disrespect, covetousness j envy, anger, lust and disputation | 't is they make feeble my enfeebled soul | for it was iu them I placed my delight.
Understand this 0 healthy man | (even) suppose thou art strong | that it shall come to thce that thou shalt be as 1 am | and thou shalt not be as thou art (ever) again till death.
91
Gluttony, sloth, distemper, greed,
Led me with speed the deathly way, Envy and anger, lust and strife Made of my life their hideous prey.
0 man, my warning take to thee,
That health shall flee, that youth shall part, That as I am, thou yet shalt be, But ne'er again as now thou art.
1 too was strong, I lived in peace
Until my lease of strength went by ; A faggot, now, of wearied bones, Upon the stones of death I lie.
There came to meet me on my way, And not to-day, nor yesterday, A change of form, of voice, of face, And life's dear grace has passed away.
The prize of Jove from God I got,
I thanked him not, — now none is left ; And flown are hearing, memory, sight, The foot so light, the hand so deft.
But in their place have made a breach, Each after each, a loathly band, Deafness and lameness, causeless dread, Languor of head and palsied hand.
I (also) found a time, a man like others | until I used up the term that was in my lease | I am now on the brink of the death | a faggot of bones without run or leap.
Because that [I] ever was, (?) there are | coming to meet me, and not to-day nor yesterday | a change of form, of voice, of cus- toms | foul disease and exchange of habits.
The jewels of love they have departed (?) from me | I did not give ever their price to mine artificer | hearing, sight, memory, clever- ness | clearness, activity, and the working of hands [are gone too].
There came upon me time about | a defiled band in their place | deafness, lameness, awkwardness, miserableness | sullen speech and hate of poets (or men of science, or perhaps " kin ").
92
T)'imti5 An c-AmAfic Af mo fvnt T)'imri5 .in fcuAim Af mo tAim, tVimtij; An fpfteACA-6, An feAfAtii tut, An fmiop 'f An fug -oo t>i Ann mo cnAim.
"O'imtij An LAfA'o Af mo JJIUAI-O,
Ctnc mo JHUA5, A'f cjtton mo btAt,
CA mo teACA AH x>At An 5«Ait,
'S An r-At-ctif. f«Af ni bpui5feA1o 50 b^A
Se H'D -oem mo beAn, f6 JI'T> T)ei|i mo clAnn, CjtAt bim AS CAinc, "-oun x>o beAt,
1YIA CA C« bOT)A|1 ni 't C« bAtb,
'S T)A mbei-oceA mAjib bu'o beA^ An
Se -oeifi mo .c&iyoe tli h-et AmAm pe T)A mbeit' m'AtiAm A$ fCAiT) nA 50 mb«-6 e m'Aic -oo beit fAn jcjie
tTlo toit-fe A tijeAjinA te -oo toit, If mo mo coi|i 'nA mo CAin, teij mo piAncA AH mo copp A'f 6 JA6 otc fAOH m'AnAm ft Ati.
of;c -oe juit [moif.] AIJVO J^i-6 5«f; -OAnA An gniom T)Am e, 'S A tiAcc btiAT>An mAit fUAi^ me ftAn 'S jAn oibf-iuJAX) f Aim Afi bit im'
An giobunAfc, "Af -ojieAf t)A ctAinn " fAn IY1S. fUT) nAC . Se f''o = fe An f;ut>. t«S'tc. An giobunAc. "ni h-eA-6 " fAn tTIS.
The sight has gone out of the eye | the deftness has gone out of the hand | the spirit and the standing energy (?) are gone | the marrow and the sap that were in my bone.
The light (blush) has gone out of my countenance | my hair has fallen and my blossom is withered | my cheek is of the colour of coal | and a re-setting up I shall not find for ever.
'Tis what my wife says, 'tis what my children say | when I am
The sight has flown the feeble eyes,
Their quickness flies the fingers deft, And all the weary body groans, And in the bones no sap is left.
Gaunt are the hollow cheeks and bare, And fallen the hair, a rueful sight, What once was bright is dark in me, And ne'er shall be again made bright.
Now says my wife, my children say,
' ' Old man away ! we heed not thee, Doaf thou art, would that thou wert dumb, May death now come and set thee free."
.ily friends they think, nor lose one sigh, (And even I myself must say), That were my soul but sure of grace The body's place were in the clay.
I pray 0 Lord, Thy will be mine,
ISince for my crime how shall I pay ? The flesh afflict with ache and dole, But spare the soul I meekly pray.
Aloud, aloud I call on Thee,
Though bold I be on Thee to call, For in those years Thou gavest me I wrought for Thee, ah ! not at all.
talking, " close thy mouth | if thou art deaf thou art not dumb | and if thou wert dead it were no great story (pity).
It is what my related friends and kindred (?) say | not only so but what I say myself | that if my soul were in the estate of grace | my place were to be in the clay.
My will 0 Lord with thy will | my crime is greater than my im- post | lay my pains upon my body | and from each evil free the soul safe.
I cry unto thee with a loud voice | though it is a bold deed for me | and all the good years that I got in health | and without [my leaving] any kind (good) workings behind me.
94
If cfuAJ tno coft Anoif t&V CAC,
CAIC me An t-\ 'f tuop £65 me An •pAt mo jolA--'f niojt b'e A tfiAC — mo fttAic Ap tAp, -out fAoi -oe 'n 5J
S CA Aft "CAm nA h-AjAift Ace cvnnjib viAim UAIJI mo bAif, 50 n-AdAi5ix> An Aicjuje ATI feAn-djioi-oe ACA Ann mo IA^.
6ipc mo jui-oe 'f nA fcop -oo Ace ftiuc mo 5|iuA-6 Af peAd AP An bpeACAC bocc 1 ti3«Aip, 'S gAn feAjt A rjiuAije ACC cufA Am<\m.
"OodAf m'AnmA Af -oo jeAllA-6, CA mo feAf Am Aji T)O tAim ; 'S mo -oo t|i6cAi|ie, A buixieACAf teAc-f A, 1onA coi^t peACAi-6 fit
teAC A ^15 nA bp SAC tiite beAtA-6 'f JAC uite bAf, 11A F&AC A ti jeA^nA i mjiAij mo loc-o A'Y tii bei-ocA-o bocc 6 'nocc 50 b|iAC.
A lOfA -D'AIC-beO-OAIj, fAT) 6, CUIftp,
'S T)O nAOmAlj An JATWOe Af UAIjl A
A t)e bi An UAijt fin A'f CA Anoif Ann, tlij cfiu*if ofc mife -oeAnAm flAn.
* e.f. tine An HeAccAifte, "x)'eAlAi5 An tA 'f niof; toj me An f.At." t " cui^i " ms. I " 'f ni,' 1TJS.
It is a pity now my condition, beyond all men | I spent the day but did not lift the hay, | the cause of my crying, and this was not the time for it, | my swathes upon the ground at the going down of the sun.
0 King who art in heaven do not accuse me of my pride | but keep from me the hour of death | until repentance make-limber the old-heart | negligent and cold that is in my middle.
Listen to my prayer and do not stop thy ear | and wet my cheeks out of the flood of grace, I look at the poor sinner in peril | without a man to pity him but only Thou.
95
A woe of woes is mine this day,
For through my hay tho wet winds blow.
The swathes ungathered anil undone,
And now the sun is sinking low.
0 King of Heaven, my pride forgive, And let me live, till this old heart By perfect penitence be wrung, And stung by conscience wholesome smart.
Hearken my prayer, incline thine ear, Xow let the tear of grace flow free, The sinner finds (his brief hour run), Pity from none, but only Thee.
The hope of my soul ia in Thy promise,1 Though late, my homage receive of me ; Thy mercy is greater than my defiance And my reliance is placed on Thee.
Thine is my life and Thine my death, God of all breath, my pride is o'er ! One glance from Thee were all my wealth, My hope, my health, for evermore !
0 Thou who makest dead to live,
Who didst forgive the Thief his scorn, Hear now, as then, a sinner's sigh, The bitter cry of me forlorn.
1 The metre changes in this verse, in which the 1st and 3rd lines have a ditsyllabic ending. This verse may perhaps be an interpolation.
The hope of my soul is in thy promise | my standing is upon thy hand | greater is thy mercy, thanks unto thee | than the crime of the sin of the seed of Adam.
I attribute (?) to thee 0 King of the miracles | every life and every death ; | do not look after my faults 0 Lord | and I shall not be poor from to-night for ever.
O Jesus who long ago didst revive bodies | and who didst sanctify tho thief at the hour of his death | () God who wast in it then, and who art in it now | it is nothing hard for thee to make me whole.
96
A lOfA c6AfAT) AJ1 ATI
e, cop Ap tAm,
lompaij tiOTn, A'p lompocAT) LCAC, 'S TiAft lomptitjcAt) UAIC Atii'p 50
tij ruv jiij A jtij tiA cjiuinne, A ^15 t>o t>i, T)O beix>eAp, 'f ACA, 50 mAitift T)uitin-rie Ajuf T>'A bpuit uite, 5A5 x>o 5x11-06, A fnj TIA
.An CorhxMj\te f eo, " memorare novissima tua et in aeternum non peccabis," ^n-Coic6ionn ^me^fs HA
guf if iomt)A CAOI ACA ^c^ te r\-A T)uinn, xiCc ni c^f At) Of\m AjMArh -Aon |\ux eif AH bpiof A neAtfi-$tiAtA6 f o teAnAf , -oo m6 6 pfi6infiAf O Con6ut>Aif, tiAC mAipeAnn, -oo 6«AtAi-t) e, A*oubAi^c fe, 6 rhriAOi T)A|i to'Ainm tTlAi|\e
111 CAtAfA1$, Af CotTOAe HA 5'A1^1r"e' A^ WOp Hlfllf f 6 t)AtD C1A Afl A1C f peif lAtCA Af bU* Af 1. 1f AJAltAfh
no 66rhfAt) iT>if\ beifc tfinAOi 6, Agtif ifo6ij 511^ feAn- TDUine cpAibceAt fiigm, no, b'^miii, t>|\AtAi|\ boCc "oe TIA bpAit|\eA6Aib TIO t)it)eAt) Ann ceAT> btiAtiAn 6 fom, T)O Aguf -oo 6um 6. HI A|\ -o'lnnf eA* 6 buti Cop tfiuil le beAg •OfAtnA e, A6c 5«|\ lornpuig An c-AgAltArri 50 Cc Ann fAn TDeifeAt). 1f me pein TDO Cui^ Ainm An 6AinceopA op cionn |\Ait>ce gAC mnA ACA. Ace Cuip An beAn X)'innif An fgeut A|\ TDCtif, 1 gceitt te n-A gut -| te n-A ceAngAn!) CIA ACA "oo'n t)Tf bi AJ tAbAi|\c. Ace, cof\-uAi|\, cin^fi AfceAC " A^fA TTlAife," no " A|\pA Sigite," ACc nuAif tAitng pn AfceAC •o'pAgAf AHIAC e.
0 Jesus who wast crucified upon the cross | who sufferedst nails in foot and hand | turn to me and I shall turn to thee | and may I not turn away from thee again for ever.
97
O pierced in foot and hand and side,
0 crucified for hearts that burn,
1 turn to thee, oh turn to me,
I ne'er again from thee shall turn.
O King of kings, O King of worlds, 0 King who was, and is to be, Forgive 0 King, our world, and sparo, Receive our prayer, and comfort me.
The advice, " memorare novisima tua et in aeternum non peccabis," is very common among the people, and many is the way they have for bringing it home to us, but I never met anything like the following unusual piece, which I got from the late Francis O'Conor, who heard it, he said, from a woman of the name of Mary Casey from the county of Gal way, but he did not tell me from what exact place. It is a dialogue or conversation between two women, and no doubt it was some religious old person, perhaps a poor friar of the friars who used to be in it a hundred years ago, who shaped and composed it. As it was told, it was like a little bit of drama, except that the dialogue turned at the end into narration. It is I who have given the name of the speaker at the head of each woman's speech, but the woman who first recited it showed by voice and manner which of them was speaking, though occasionally she interjected, "says Maurya" or "said Sheela," but where this occurred I have omitted it.
0 King of the kings, O King of the universe | O King who wast, who shalt be, and who art, | mayest thou forgive us, and all who are, | receive thy prayer O King of grace.
98
ram t>emc Se^ti
[triAif\e].
CeA-o f..Aitce ptimA'o, A Sigite, if tei$eAf t>o nnimeACA t)'j:eiceAt [t>'f.eicf me], fuit> fiof -j teig -00 f git, Aguf mnif -oo f gent.
[Sigile].
m^ifeAt) ! ni't x\on fgeut AgArn, ni fgeulcA x\cxi AS cup
irnnit)e tii'l cfi t)f\e6it)ce !
[Sigile].
tli't m6 t3|\eoit)ce, t)uit)eACAf te "Oixx -Aguf te n-A ItlAtxMjt t)eAnnui5te, xiCc bim ^5 c turn mug At) A^ nA ceit|\e criioCAitt "oei^eAnnACA, x\f -An mbAf Agup Af An mbjieiteArhnAf, Af\ ipfionn Aguf Af\ frtAiteAf, mA^ CA 'f AjArn nAC mbeit) m6 mOrtAn niof pui-oe [pAi-oe] AJI An t)|\6nAC fo, ACc ni mifce tiom *OA mt>eit>inn
[tTlAi|\e].
tli tAgAnn mi-<i6itt A|\ bit -oe'n Cf6|\c fin Ann mo CeAnn-fA, Aguf CA mife niof fine 'nA tuf A ; ni't me cuif\f eA6 *oe'n cf AojAt f o -pof . UA eotuf AgAtn AJA An •oorhAn f o, Aguf ni't e6tuf AJ\ bit A^AITI Afi An T)omAn eite. tli CAinig Aon "oumeAft Aif Af\iArii te h-mnfeAcc •OAm t)'^ tAoit>. t)eit> me 1 n-Am 50 te<5f\ [AS] cuirh- mugAt) Af An mbAf nuAi|\ tiuc^Af fe. Aguf fut) eite — ni Cperaim 5«|\ c^utAig t)iA Aon t)ume te n-A tof- 1 n-if|\ionn 50 fiof|\ui'6e.
99 DIALOGUE BETWEEN TWO OLD WOMEN.
MAURYA.
A hundred welcomes Sheela, it's a cure for sore eyes to see you ; sit down and rest and tell us your news.
SHEELA. ,
Musha ! I have no news. It is not news that's troubling me.
MAURYA. Arrah ! and what's troubling you ? sure you're not ill !
SHEELA.
I'm not ill, thanks be to God and to His blessed mother, but I do be thinking of the four last ends — the Death and the Judgment, and Hell and Heaven, for I know I shan't be much longer in this sorrowful world, and I wouldn't mind if I were leaving it to-morrow.
MAURYA.
No nonsense at all of that sort ever comes into my head, and I'm older than you. I'm not tired of this world yet, I have knowledge of this world, and I have no knowledge at all of the other world. Nobody ever came back to tell me about it. I'll be time enough thinking of Death when he comes. And, another thing, — I don't believe that God created anyone to burn him in hell eternally.
100
[Sijite].
UA cti "out Amu §', A ttlAif\e. An |\Aib cu An T)6rhnA(i fo ^"^^-^ **«•>-')
go •oeimin m f\AbAf ! t)i me AS t)eunArii j\uit> but) tAif\t>i£e ; -AS CAbAijvc Aij\e tjo mo Cum ceAjxc t>o tti m6, te n-A scongMit 6 ttjteit ^muig, no ni t>ei"OeAt) Ainne c^e no p n^oif in ^g^m x\f\ pe^t) n^ f e^cu- Hi tiuopxvo An botgAn-beiceAC, An "bjiiAn, pigin -OAm, T)A 5Con5t>66At> f e me 6 tli't Ann A6c fAncA6^n fUA^Ac. t)i fcofc beAg muice AgAm An tlo-olAj; fo 6«Ai-6 tAfiu, Aguf 'o'lAfji fe o^m i •oiol, te fsiUing t)o tAbAific *o6 IA Ho-olAg ; Aguf mAf\ nA6 n-oeAfnA me fin ,$AiiAfe m'Ainm AmAC An t)omnA6 nA "61A1J fin Ann f An ceAC-pobAil. tli't f e f Af CA te biA"6 mAit, te coijAce "O'A CApAtt,te o^v Aguf te Ai^seAt) Ann A p6cA ; mA|t T)tibAi|\c me 50 mime, m peicim Aon 6eif\T> Com triAit te ceipt) f AgAijtc ; -pen 6 An c-eAT)AC bpeA$ 6AiteAnn f IA-O, Ag«f •oAoine boCcA -D'A f Aot^ugAt)
[Sigite].
CA longAncAf m6j\ opm f.Aoi *oo 66mf A"6. 1f T>O mi-6^eiT>eAm ! ~CA longAncAf ojim 50 Corh mi-mfltJAmAit fin f.Aoi An AtAip DfiAn, •OA mbei-6teA Ag -pAgAit t>Aif AmA^At CIA t»eA|\pAt) Abfotoi-o -ouic A6c An c-AtAi|\ ceAt)nA ? "
. ! bi T)O tofc, A Sigite, m 6Aff.A* An
t)p1An A fAt, T)U1C-fe 11A 'OAtfl-f A, gAn CUA|\Aft)At,
mbeit>eAt> friof Aige 50 scongboCAt) fe Af if|\ionn finn.
101
SHKELA.
You're going astray Maurya; were you at mass last Sunday ?
MAURYA.
Indeed and I was not ! I was doing a thing more profit- able. It was taking care of my hens I was, to keep them from laying abroad, or I wouldn't have the price of a grain of tea or sneesheeii throughout the week. That bolgdn- beiceach Father Brian wouldn't give me a penny if it was to keep me from being hanged. He's only a miserable greedy santachdn. I had a little sturk of a pig last Christmas and he asked me to sell it to give him a shilling on Christmas Day, and as I didn't do that, he called out my name the Sunday after, in the chapel. He's not satisfied with good food, and oats for his horse, and gold and silver in his pocket. As I said often, I don't see any trade as good as a priest's trade ; see the fine working clothes they wear, and poor people earning it hard for them.
SHEELA.
I wonder greatly at your talk. Your unbelief is great. I wonder that you speak so unmannerly about Father Brian, when if you were dying to-morrow, who would give you absolution but the same father ?
MAURYA.
Arrah ! Sheela, hold your tongue. Father Brian wouldn't turn on his heel, either for you or for me, without pay, even if he knew that it would keep us out of hell.
102
[Sigile].
Cpiofc oppAinn ! niop fAoileAf 50 mbut> •oe'n cf6f\c fin fcu. An nt)eACAit) cu Cum f.Aoifcme
til ?
CuAt>Af, An IA p6fAt> me, ACc nfoji Cpom me mo 6 foin r\A |\oime.
Tli'l mOj\An le •DUIC
tli Conj;b66At) f6 fin nx\ ce.AfiCM 6
>oceit)inn te pxioip-om T»O •b£Ar\Am leif iAn, 1 n-Aic x\t»fol6it)e if m^f ), mun^ mbeit>eAt) le-At-cpom x^gAm Ay. mo mexifv le c-AbxMf\c -06.
[Si$ite].
tli'l An c-At<Mf bpiAn Com h-olc Aguf -oeip cu. tne te -out xinn [Cum] A tije An cpAtn6nA f o le
le ppionx)A ime. LAittedfAfO me leif T>O tugAnn cu An ceAT) *OAm.
HA cui|\ An ciMobldiT) oj\c pem mo tAOib-fe nl'l mife -oul AnAice leif An AtAip t)piAn. mife AJI leAbAi-6 mo t>Aif ciucpAit)
CA f?iof TDUIC* nAC bAf obAnn t)o geobtA, tmcf.A-6
50 rninic "CA piof -outc" mAp i; CA J-
103
SHEELA.
The cross of Christ on us ! I never thought that it was that sort of a woman you were. Did you ever go to confession ?
MAURYA.
I went the day I was married, but I never bowed my knee under him before or since.*
SHEELA.
You have not much to do now, and you ought to think about your poor soul.
MATJRYA.
That wouldn't keep the hens from laying abroad on me, and if I were to go to confess to Father Brian, instead of absolution its a barging I'd get from him, unless I had a half-crown on the top of my fingers to give him.
SHEELA.
Father Brian isn't half as bad as you say ; I'm to go to his house this evening with fresh eggs and a print of butter. I'll speak to him about you if you give me leave,
MAURYA.
Don't trouble yourself about me, for I'm not going near Father Brian : when I'll be on my death-bed he'll come to me.
SHEELA.
And how do you know that it's not a sudden death you'd get, and what would happen to you if you were to get a " death without priest? "
* In Irish "since or before."
104
Agup nAC mbeit)inn Corn mAit teip nA mitcib T>O bAp gAn pAgApc Af bit ? lli'l mojvAn -ofictnp Ap nA pAgAficAib. pe.Ac.Aij; ACA ionncA-pAn inte. ip triAp CAmAoiT) p6in, MT), 50 t>irveAC. Se mo fe tiAC bpuit 1 gc^ei'oeAtti ^cc C.AIDU, An
CU AfMtfl CjUCC -A^ P-A1T)in C|\10nA.
[Sigite]. me 50 mituc.
50 tedp, ^6c x\n gcu-AtAit) cu
[Sigite].
50 •oeimin niO|\ 6ux\tAf, ACC innif tMrn e, m^ f e T»O toil e.
ACA. Hi f Aib Aon beij\u ACA -oe'n Aguf bi-6eAt) AC^Ann eAUO|\t\A 50 mime, ti-uite feA|\ ACA AS |\At) 50 mbut) e A cfei-oeAm pem An cpei-oeAtfi t)o b'peA|\|A. Aon tA ArhAin •peAjt ACA, " PAJJF AiYiAoiD AS pAiDin CfvionA e CIA A bpuiL An c|teit)eAm if peAj\|\ Aige." " UAOIAOIT) Af\f An beijvc eite. 5lAO* riA>° ATteAt Ap guf T»ubAi|\c -peAfv ACA, "A pAit)in, if CACOII- ceAC mi^e. c^eAT) tA^toCAf -OAm 1 n-oiAig mo bAif " ?
" 1nnfe66Ait) me -buic," A|\fA pAmin. " Cui|\pit>eAi\ fiop Ann fAn «AI$ t\\, Agiif 6i|\eCcAi-6 cu Afif, Agtif
f ACAlt) CU fUAf 50 geACA plAltCAf. UlUCfAlt) peA"OAfV
105
MAURYA.
And wouldn't I be as well off as the thousands who got death without e'er a priest. I haven't much trust in the priests. It's sinners that's in them all ; they're like our- selves, exactly. My own notion is that there's nothing in religion but talk. Did you ever hear mention of Paudyeen Criona [wise Patsy].
SHEELA. I did, often.
MAURYA. . Very well ; did you ever hear his opinion about religion.
SHEELA. Indeed, I never did, but tell it to me if you please.
MAURYA.
Musha, then, I will. There were three officers living in one house and Paudyeen Criona [Cree-On-a] was servant to them. There were no two of them of the same religion, and there used often to be a dispute amongst them — and every man of them saying that it was his own religion was the best religion. One day a man of them said " We'll leave it to Wise Paudyeen as to which of us has the best religion," "We're satisfied," said the other two. They called in Paudyeen and a man of them said to him, "Paudyeen, I'm a Catholic, and what will happen to me after my death?"
" I'll tell you that," aays Paudyeen. " You'll be put down
106
Agtif f.iAf.f.6CAi-6 fe tMoc, ' CIA ^n cj\eit)eAm Af.* •oe tuf A ? ' 1mife6CAit> cu -66, Agtif -oeAftpAit) f6, " Ceifug Aguf f uit> Ann fAn gcoifmeAU- UT> AmeAfg nA
p^ocef cun mif e," A|\ f An "OAftA peA|\, " tA|\t66Af T)Afh-f A Ant)iAi$ mo tiAip ? " 50 <oi|\eA6 mA|\ An peAp eile, cuipp-OeAp -DO f uit>e
) tA}\l66Af f T>Arh-f A An-oiAig mo " 50 T)i|\eAC mAt\ An t>ei|\c eite, ctHf\pt)eAf\ tti -oo
Anoif, m |tAit> -ouine AJ\ tut ACA, niof An T>uine eite, mAj\ *o'f AS p^i-om IA-O ; Ajuf Ann fin •o'friApjAtus An CACoitceAC -oe ^AiTDin, " A pAi-oin CA-O e T)O Cpei'oeAtri-f A ? "
" tli'l cfeitjeArh A|\ bit AgAm-f A,'' A|\ feif 6An.
"AgUf Cf\6A-O CAftOCAf T)U1U-fe AnTDIAIj -DO tWlf-
re?"
" 1nnf 666A1-0 m6 fin T)UIC. C«i|\f.nbeAf fiof Ann fAn t>poll me ; ei|\e6CAit) me A|\Tf Aguf tuCAi-6 m6
f UAf 50 geACA f.lA1CeAf . UlUCf.Alt) peAT)A|\ Agllf f.1 Af.-
t\6CAit) f e ' CIA 'n C|\eiT)eAm t«f A' ? t)eA|\f. AT>
femeAm Af\ t)it AgAm-f A, Ajuf Ann fin, ' CAJ\ AfceAC, Agtif f uit) no fiut>Ait, i Aic Af bit if coit teAc'." Anoif A Sijile nAC bpeiceAnn en 50 |\Ait> An ce
* If lontiAtin An " Aft " f o Agup " if." CA An c-Atc f o le miniu^A-o fo, '"Oe CIA [An] cjiei'oeAn'i if cufA." c.f-., Ate niAjt "An
Aft teif An C6AC," ^C.
i f.ocAt ceAjtc e feo. ni't
107
into the grave, and you'll rise again and go up to the gate of heaven. Peter will come out and will ask you, ' what religion are you of.' You'll tell him, and he'll say, ' go and sit in that corner amongst the Catholics.'
"I'm a Protestant," said the second man, "and what'll happen to me after my death 1 "
" Exactly as the other man. You will be put sitting in the corner of the Protestants ! "
"I'm a Hebrew," says the third man, "and what will happen to me after my death 1 "
" Exactly as the other two ; you will be put sitting amongst the Hebi-ews."
Now there was no one of them better off than the other, as Paudyeen left them, and so the Catholic asked Paudyeen, " Paudyeen, what's your own religion ? "
" I have no religion at all," says he.
" And what'll happen to you after your death ?"
" I'll tell you that. I shall be put down into the hole, I shall rise again and go up to the gate of heaven. Peter will come and ask me, ' of what religion are you ? ' I will say that I have no religion at all, and Peter will say then, ' come in, and sit down or walk about in any place that you have a wish for.' "
Now, Sheela, don't you see that he who had no religion
108
nA6 fiAib Aon CpeineAm Af\ bit Aige niof f.eAf\ri IA nA t>Aoine .d pAib cjieiTieAm ACA. t)i 5^6 Aon T>iobtA [•oiob] fin ceAngAitce t>o CoipneAtt A C^emim f.ein, ACC t/rgxyo ^i-oin t)«l x^nn A °A ^ice,
[Sigite].
ojtc A tlxxipe, c^ f.Aic6iof of,m 50 tipuil c^tnAlt PA-OA |toirii •o'^nAin boCc f-An t»pu|\-
t)iot> ciAtl xigAT) A Sigile, f ACAI* me C|\it) An bpup- 6orh CAA te
Hit Aon rhAit Ag CAinu IBAC, nA beit CAtiAipc cOtri- t)tiic. PASPAITC) mfe Annf in tu.
t»T Sijite -out AtriAC teig ITlAipe fSfveAt) t)o mite Ap gAC CAOit) *oi. UionncAig Sigite, 6onnAipc fi THAipe i tAf tAfi\A6 ceme. Hit
Corn luAt Aguf tii mnui 50 ceA6 An t)piAn, Aguf T)'pilt f i teif Ag fit 50 ceAC tilAi|\e, mo bpCn ! t>i An ceAC TtGigce 50 cAtArh, Aguf tji ITlAife •odjce teif ; Aguf CA eAglA opm 50 fAit> An c-AnAm t)oCc cAiUce.
* * *
If neAm-jnAtAC piofA -oo tteit mnifce mAfv An c-AgAttAm f UAf, A6c AS f o A5Att<\m t)6A5 eite mAfi 6, •oo 6uAlAf o'n t>peA|\ ceA-onA. t)ut) te n-A gut -oo tAif beAn An fgeutcOift TJo'n tuCc 6ifceACcA CIA ACA •oe'n fteif-c fti AJ tAbAip.c teif An bpeAp eite. Aj\ An
109
at all was better off than the people who had a religion ! Every one of them was bound to the corner of his own creed, but Paudyeen was able to go in his choice place, and I'll be so too.
SHEELA.
God help you Maurya; I'm afraid there's a long time before your poor soul in Purgatory.
MAURYA.
Have sense Sheela ; I'll go through Purgatory as quickly as lightning through a gooseberry bush.
SHEELA.
There's no use talking to you or giving you advice. I'll leave you.
When Sheela was going out, Maurya let a screech out of her which was heard for a mile on every side of her. Sheela turned round and she saw Maurya in the midst of a flame of fire. Sheela ran as fast as was in her to Father Brian's house, and returned with him running to Maurya's house- But, my grief ! the house was burned to the ground, and Maurya was burnt with it ; and I am afraid that the [her] poor soul was lost.
* * *
It is unusual for a piece to be told in the style of the above dialogue, but here is another little dialogue like it which I heard from the same person. It was by his voice .that the story-teller showed his hearers which of the two
110
pn cuij\im Ainm -An CAince6ftA of ciorin CAince Aom AC A.
AH mirnsuem A^US An SASUII.
Aor, IA ArhAin -oo bi gAfun beAj; bo<ic AJA tAoib -Ati
*oo eAn-6Min rhuice
f A C^pAtl bpe^g,
f6 teif An ngAf tin, " CIA An AIC A "ocusAnn An i »
f O tU ?
CA m6 Ann fo te coicrOeAf Aguf ni tug f 6 i n- \ bit 50 poit m6.
tlA6 gLic An t)UA6Aitl beAg uw ! CIA teif HA inucA
An cfeAn-C|\Ain.
UA 'f A^Am pn, ACc cA me AS pAppuige CIA ti-6 TIA
An T)iAbAl beAg •oub-Agtif-bAn pn A feiceAf cu , tig teifBAn An c-iomtAn ACA A
Th n-6 pn ACA me [AS] pAppuige t»ioc Cofi Af bit, CIA ti-6 T)O rhAi5ifci^-f e ?
mo rhAijifCf eAf A, peAf Corh mAit Af fo 50 T>ci e pein.
Ill
were talking to the other. Accordingly I shall put the name of each speaker above his speech.
THE MINISTER AND THE GOSSOON.
One day there was a poor little gossoon on the side of the road, and he taking care of an old sow of a pig, and a litter of bonharas along with her. A minister came the way, and he riding upon a fine horse, and he said to the gossoon " where does this road bring you "?
GOSSOON.
I'm here for a fortnight, and it never brought me any- where yet.
MINISTER.
, Now, isn't it the wise little boy you are ! Whose are the little pigs ?
GOSSOON. They're the old sow's.
MINISTER.
I know that, but I'm asking you who is the master of the bonhams.
GOSSOON.
That little black-and-white devil that you see rooting, he's able to beat the whole of them.
MINISTER.
That's not what I'm asking you at all, but who is your own master ?
GOSSOON.
My mistress's husband, a man as good as you'd get from here to himself.
112
til tuigeAnn c« me 50 f.6it. CIA h-i t>o 50 T>cuij;;eAnn cu fin !
50 triAic. 'Si beAn mo mAisifcirt i. UA ti-uite t)uine fin !
1f glic An t)UA6Ailt be^s t«, Aguf c^l fe Corn
T>UIC, ACc mmf T)AtTi bpuil friof AgAt) CA O t)6mnAill 'n
[5AfU1l.]
O 50 T)eirhin. teAn An bOtAjt fo 50 "ociucf-Ai* cu 50 b<5itf\Tn A|\ tAoio "oo lAifi-OfVO<5i5e. Ann fin leAn •DO ff 6n, Agnf ITIA t6it)6Ann cu Amug', bpif An cj\e6if .
[Tt1inifueif\.]
50 T)eirhin if Apui-6 An ouACAill tu ! CIA An Ceijvo t>6it)eAf AgA-o-f A n«Aif t>eit)eAf cu niof fine ?
tHAO|\ muice. T1A6 ttpeiceAnn cu 50 bpuit me cup mo teAjwuA AfceA6. CATD e t)o 6ei|At) f.em.
! bi-6im AS cAif beAnc CIA h-e An beAlAC 50 ftAiteAf -oo nA
OpA ! nA<b btieA5A6 tu ! tli tig teAC-f A An tAifbeAiic 50 ti-Aic AJ\ bit. tli't eoLAf A^AT) AJX An
113
MINISTER.
You don't understand me yet. "Who is your mistress I Perhaps you understand that.
GOSSOON.
I understand you well. She is my master's wife. Every- one knows that.
MINISTER.
You're a wise little boy ; and it's as good for me to let you be, but tell me do you know where Patrick O'Donnell is living ?
GOSSOON.
Yes, indeed. Follow this road until you come to a boreen on the side of your thumb-hand. Then follow your nose, and if you go astray break the guide.
MINISTER.
Indeed, and you're a ripe (precocious) little lad ! What trade will you have when you'll be older ?
GOSSOON.
Herding a pig. Don't you see that I'm putting in my term. What is your own trade ?
MINISTER.
A good trade. I am showing the people what is the way to heaven.
GOSSOON.
Oh, what a liar ! You can't show the way to any place. You don't know the way to Patrick O'Donnell's, a man
114
mbotAf 50 t)ci CCAC pAT>f ^15, jreAf A bf.ttil Aitne AJ; beAg Ajjuf rn6f Ann fan cif Aif , Aj;t»f if cinnce me t>f.uil eClAf AgAt) Af An tnbOcAf 50 flAiteAf !
[TThnifceif.]
A m6 buAitce. Se6 "6uic teAt-6f6m xif fon t>o guf nuAip tiucp^f m6 Ajxif geoftAit) cu cex\nn eile.
50 tnA|\ tu An t>eAU\C, ti-mle
An cOrhp A* fo fseut eile itn' 6«irhne 100 6uAtAit) me 1 T)CAOit) gAf um 1 gCon-OAfe itltiig 66. tl«s PAJA^C Af\ An ngAf un Af An mt>6tAn Ajuf t)ut)Aipc "^o tnbeAnnuigit) T)IA -6uic."
" 5° ttibeAnnuigi* ^n -ouine ceA-onA f An buACAittin.
" Ce [CA] 'f t>' Af tu " ?
" Af t3eul-nA-muice,'J A
" CIA rii6A*o "OiA Ann '' ? Af fAn
" An oif eAt) A'f CA Ann f o," Af fAn t)UACAitt.
"SAoitim 50 t>f.uit -oo pAiT)feACA Ann -oo p6cA
Af fAn f AJAfC.
" tloif CA -oo tOin Amui§," Af fAn buAdAilt, " p6cA Af bit ofm " !
AS f o f 6fc c6rhf A* t>eAff AijeAtCA -oo 0 pf OinfiAf O ConCutiAif. t)i beAn Ann Aguf b'Ainm •01 ITlAife tlic 51o^^cAin Aguf fUAif A -peAf bAf. £115
flAT) An CAtAt) CACA6 Af A f.eAf, ni't f?1Of A^AtY) CIA An
f.At, ACC cfei-oim guf lonnAnn "CACAC" Ajuf CAf-
115
that everybody — big and little — in this country knows, and I'm certain sure that you have no knowledge of the road to heaven.
MINISTER.
I'm beaten. Here's half a crown for you for your cleverness, and when I come again you'll get another.
GOSSOON.
Thank you. It's a pity that a fool like you doesn't come the way every day.
This conversation reminds me of another story that I heard about a gossoon in the County of Mayo. A priest overtook the gossoon on the road and said to him " God save you."
" The same Man save yourself," said the little boy.
" Where are you from " ] says the priest.
"From Swinford," says the boy.
"How many Gods are there in it"? [meaning how many Gods exist], says the priest.
" As many as there are here," says the boy [taking ad- vantage of the equivocation].
" I think that you have your prayers with you in your pocket," said the priest.
" Now you're out," says the boy, " the devil a pocket at all on me."
Here is a sort of dialogue in verse that I heard from Pruinsias O'Conor. There was a woman in it whose name was Maurya Mac Gilligan, and her husband died. They used to call her husband, I do not know why, the Caladh
116 .* tofAi£ ITlAipe tioCc 45 CAomeAt) A
An An cAlAt) CACAC.
Oc 6fl, 4 (iAt-Alt), CfieUT) fAC Aft fSAf CU
Ajuf me •o'p.AjbAtt i m'AonAfi AJ; obAif 50
Ajtif A IIACCA fin bliA-OAn -D'oibfijeAmAf. te ceile
AS cup A^uf AJ bAinc As\if A5 fAocpuJA-o Ap mbeiLe.
If "0615 50 6f.uit ru Atioif te lofA Aon-ttlAC T)e, ATI T)Af.A peAjifA •oe'ti C-piotioiT) fio tiAOthtA, Ajuf tnife AJI AH fAoJAl bfionAc 50 c|iAi-6ce ct/Aoix>ce, 5An ceile, ^An CA|IA, gAn CAbAip, ^An Aen neAc beo x»e mo
^c Aon
if bAinc|teAbAc bocc me Ajiif cADAift T)Am f:oinn r>e t>o mAiteAmnAf Ann mo peACAi-6' 50 h-iomtAn, nA teij m'AnAm bocc imteAcc Af;
A-ominjimt "oo "OiA Tjo'n ttlAC Ajuf x>o'n SpiojiA-o tlAom, HAG n-oeAjinA me fAoip-om nA f lOft-Ait^ije ^iiAm, tltoti jtunAij me 1 tAcAif eAfboij, f ASAJIC, nA Ajuf nio|i lAjtp me eA-OA^-jui-oe ttluife
Ace Anoif •oeAtifAT) fAoiffoin Ann fo Ann -oo Ajuf iA|tf;Aim eAt)Ati-5Ui'6e Af; An ttlAij-oin T>O CA me cionncAc Annf JAC peACAT*, beAj Ajuf CA me umAt x>o 6eit jtAncA i -oceine
*t)i feAn-AbfAn Af; An ftiAtJ Ceif Cof; Ainn, 1 jCon-OAe Stijij, t)O cofAij, " Ceif CojtAinn CACAC, if mAit An Aic -oo t>eit te -oo tAoi6." CuAtAf An r-A5fAn nuAif tn me 65, ACC niof p. CA-O me A f AjAiL 6 foin. t)i AfO-eAfboj A BpA-o 6 Ann A coifce AJ -oeunAm Aifcif.. •) nuAif. tAimg fe AnAice te Cetf -oubAijtc AH fCAf •oo fti "o'A tiom- Ainc, "A CigeAfnA eAfboig," Af feifeAn, "ciA'n cAob -pAjfAf me Ceif," (if e fin, An ^ACAI-O me Af. A tAim -oeif no Af A tAim cte), Aj«f -o'pf eAjAif An c-Aif -o-eAf bog, ''f-Aj An Ceif m Af AcA fe," Aguf fin jnAc-pocAt i sConx)Ae 811515 50 -oci An tA An-oiu, " pAs An ceif[c] mAf AcA fe."
ftAt>AifteAf An pocAl fo i jCon-oAe ttlutg 06 mAf " Anrouijim."
117
Catach [the friendly1?*] Caladh. Poor Maurya began keening her husband as follows : —
THE KEENE OF THE CALADH CATACH.
Ochone, Caladh Catach, why have you parted from me, And to leave me alone working heavily, And all these years that we laboured together^ Sowing and reaping and earning our meal.
No doubt but you are now with Jesus Christ The One Son of God, the second person of the very Holy Trinity, And me in this sorrowful world tortured and ruined, Without a consort, without a friend, without help, without any one alive of my kin.
0 bright King of Mercy, I do not ask of thee any respite,
1 am a poor widow, and give me share of Thy grace. Grant me forgiveness for my sins entirely,
And do not allow my poor soul to go astray.
I acknowledge to God, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, That I never made a confession or a true repentance. I never knelt before bishop, priest, or friar, And I never asked for the intercession of Mary Mother.
But now I shall make confession, here upon the spot,
And I ask the Virgin, Thy Mother, for intercession ;
I am guilty of every sin, small and great,
And I am submissive to be cleansed in the fire of Purgatory.
* There was an old song about Kesh Corran, a mountain in the Co. Sligo, which began " Kesh Corran catach, (friendly (?) Kesh Corrau) it was a good place to be by your side." I heard the song when I was young, but have not been able to get it since. There was an Arch- bishop long ago making a journey in his coach, and when he came near Kesh the man who was driving him said, " Lord Bishop," says he, " which side shall I leave Kesh " ? meaning " shall I go to the right or to the left of it." But the Archbishop answered, " Leave Kesh where it is," and that is proverb in the Co. Sligo to this day, '.' Leave Kesh (or the question) where it is.''
118
Com FAX> AS^F pAspAf T)IA me Ann f An njleAnn p o HA nt>e6}i, ni FSAJIFAT) 6 •oeunAtn u^nAijce Aguf poti-Aitfiije tiiojt, 1 n-Anim T)6 copocAi-6 me 30 moc Ap trtAfoin AmAfiAC,
biAij; mo oAif 50 mbeix>inn te mo CAtAt> CAtA6.
[ACc t>i c6rh^ffx\ ^5 6if cedCc le AttMii$ f 6 A £ut Ajtif teig f6 A -oo t>i Ag tAt>,Aiju; lei, -Aguf •oubxM^c fe "oe
If mife ATI t)Af t)o cAimj te -oo fAbAit 6'n obAiji tf oim
niA CA ru t/eix) Ajtif uriiAt, -oeAn •O'U-OACC Ajuf bi tiom.
ITlA ftionn cu AJ cl/Am-pAn no AJ x>eAnAm jeAjiAin, Aneifiim teAc e
CjutnotiA AmA|iAC oei-6 -oo cnAtiiA f e rjioije ^AOI An jjcjte.
ni fAib 111^16 Corh ieit) le h-
t>'ei5in T)i b^f fMg^il, Aguf -oubAijtc f i.] : —
O ! nA bfox) t)eipin o|ic, ACC cAbAip 'm Aon bliAxiAin r>e
50 n-oetinAi-6 me Aitjiije Ajuf f toccAn te Uij IDofi nA
CA mojiAn A5Am te -oeAnAm Anocc Ajuf AniA|iAc,
•AS S^eup r°^ttA1'°' SCAnAmAit' -oo m' ceite, An CAtAT» CACAC.
6 6«AtAi-6 me tii AS jtA-6 nAc n- x\5«f -o'lnnif cu 50 teojt b^eAjA -oo Uij tii beix> moftAn bt^oin nA uAijnif ojic Anx>iAi j An Ace AS co^uiseAct fi|t eite teix>eAf cu An^oiAis An CAtA-6
"out T)'A -f|\eA5Ai|\c, lAirh te ceAtiti-f-<Mc6iop ponti ^
fe Atr»A6 ^5 g^ifi-be, -AS up CotinAit\c Ann ACc •ouine.
119
As long as God shall leave me in this valley of tears I shall never cease from praying and making groat and true repent- ance.
In the name of God I shall begin early to-morrow morning, And, perhaps, after my death I might be with my Caladh Catach.
[But there was a neighbour listening to Maurya without her knowing it. He changed his voice and let on that it was the Death that was speaking to her, and he said, with a hoarse and terrifying voice] : —
THE NEIGHBOUR.
I am the Death who have come to save you from the heavy work, If you are ready and submissive, make your will and be with me. If you be making complaint or lamentation I say it to you That to-morrow evening your bones shall be six feet beneath the clay.
[But Maurya was not so ready to depart as she pretended. Great terror carne upon her when she thought that she had to die, and she said] —
MAURYA.
Oh ! do not be in a hurry, but grant me one year's space,
Until I make repentance and peace with the Great King of the graces.
I have much to do to-night and to-morrow
Preparing a decent funeral for my consort the Caladh Catach.
[THE NEIGHBOUR ANSWERING.]
Is it not a short time since I heard you say that you would ask no
respite,
And you told numbers of lies to the Great King of the graces. But there wont be much trouble or lonesomeness on you after
to-morrow, But seeking for another husband you'll be, after the Caladh Catach.
Maurya was going to answer, and she wringing her two hands with dint of fear at the Death, as she thought, but the other could not control himself and burst out laughing, and Maurya perceived that it was only a man.
120
An oif-eAt) Tie t>f\ofcu£At> Ann fnA n-At>f\AnAit>
Hi Afi piAncAit) ipftmn niAf\ An 5ceAT>n.A,
Ann fn^ piofAitt ACA AmeAfg n^ nt)xxoine. AS fo f^nn T)O CiMlAit) m6 6 feAii-freA|\ 1 50011*0^6 nA 5^1 Hi me.
IUJAt) -OOCCUf AJUf CA|1CAt1ACC,
S«X) A coirrilionAf m' *OeAn iAt) -po A'-p geobAiji HA ACA te FAJJAII fAn mbeACA
1 r>CAOit> tiA nseAltAttiAn pem, Agtif i T)CAOit) An
CfOttAlf ACA 1 1TOA11 T)O nA pfieAtlACAlt), 6UAIAT6 tTl6
An fAnn fo 6 feAn-peA^v eile Ann fAn
CtUAS.
ni cuAtAi-6 ctuAf, ni pACAi-6 jtors, A'f pof nioft fmuAiti cf oi-oe Aenne* An c-AoibneAf rnott A bei'oeAf mA|i T)o tucc tiA h-Aic|ii5e "f tiA
fo fgeut Afi "btnrie "oo ConnAittc An gt6ij\ pn,
T)O CAlt C6AT) t)llAt)An mnC1, AtflAlt AgUf 11A6
t\Aib Ann ACc cuptA t5. *Oo CuAlAit) mife An fgeut 6 O ConttabAi^, T>O pUAip 6 6 t>uine "OA^ 'l,iAm tTlAC t)6mnAilt 6 t)eul-At-nA-trmice 1 ttltng Go. CA fgeul -oe'n cf6pc f o AJA An ceA-onA te pAjAit Ann f gA6 cip Ann fAn Aguf if e gAn ArhpAf " UJ'OAH Aguf
* i.e., " Aon •ouine."
121
There is as much of encouragement in the Religious Songs as there is of threats. Not of the pains of hell alone is mention made, but of the glories of the heavens also, in the pieces which live amongst the people. Here is a rann which I heard from an old man in the County of Galway.
CONTRITION.
Contrition, Hope and Charity, These my commandments satisfy.
Do them and gain the promises Fulfilled in immortality.
About these promises themselves and the happiness that is laid out for the righteous, I heard this rann from another old man in the same county.
Ear never heard, eye never saw,
The heart of man conceived not ever;
How happy he in Death shall be, Who dares himself from sin to sever.*
Here is a tale of a man who saw that glory, and who spent in it a hundred years as though they were a couple of days. I heard the story from Pr6insias O'Conor, who got it from a man whose name was William MacDonnell near Swinford in the County Mayo. There is a story of this kind to be found about the same thing in every land in Christendom, and without doubt their cause and origin lies
* Literally — Ear never heard, eye never saw, and the heart of man too never conceived the great happiness that shall be in store to the people of repentance and good character.
122
ACA tefl, An beApfA T1ri> Q™ unus dies apud Dominum sicut mille anni, et mille anni sicut dies unus .1. 50 bjruil Aon tA AtfiAin AS An T>Ui5eAf\nA mAp mile bliAt)An "i mile bliAt>An mAp Aon IA AttiAin.* Hi mifce t)umn An cujt-pop t)o £A$AI{\C Ann f o.
An cotAisce.
o
mAC-teij;in
*oe
50 cotAifce m<5t\ te tteit nx\ 50 mime 6 mo T>O tM O "ptoinn.
te T>e".
f6 ^5 fmnce but) bitie^t)
pdjttum
me xMnm m Cuimni5im t)T
f 5016156 te n-A
*oo bi -Ann.
An IA&,
nA b«AC*Mttib eile Ann teif T)tit ^m^C te
AS pub^t leif |:em nA 5CfiAnn m6|\ -oo bi cimCioU r& -Ann fin ^ pem 50 -ocuicpAt) oume Cum A feompA. Aon cfAtnonA AttiAin, i mi nA t)eAtcAine,
mA|\ but) gnAtAC teif, A5Uf bi re [AS] fpAif- AOI nA c^Ainn [c^vAnnAib] nuAtp cuAtAit) r& ce6t bmn- UAims -oo^CA-ouf .no foivc "OAitte Ap A
fe ArhA^c Afif ConnAipc pe
te
f uitib, A5Uf niiAi|\
2.
III. 8.
in that verse which says " quia unus dies apiid Dominum sicut mille anni et mille anni sicut dies unus," i.e., for a thousand years are with the Lord as one day, and one day as a thousand years.
It were as well for us to give here the Gaelic version of this story.
THE STUDENT* WHO LEFI COLLEGE.
There came a number of young people from the County of Galway, to a great college, to learn and gain instruction, so as to become priests. I often heard the name of this college from my mother, but I do not remember it. It was not Maynooth. There was a man of these of the name of Patrick O'Flynn. He was the son of a rich farmer. His father and his mother desired to make a priest of him. He was a nice, gentle lad. He used not to go dancing with the other boys in the evening, but it was his habit to go out with the grey-light of day, and he used to be walking by himself up and down under the shadow of the great trees that were round about the college, and he used to remain there thinking and meditating by himself, until some person would come to bring him in to his room.
One evening, in the month of Ma}', he went out, as was his custom, and he was taking his walk under the trees when he heard a melodious music. There came a darkness or a sort of blindness over his eyes, and when he found his sight ngain he beheld a great high wall on every side of him,
* Literally—" Tue Son of Learning."
124
bAltA mdp A'p'o Ap J;AC CAOib "oe, Aj;uf b6tAp tonnp AC Am AC poime. t)i nA pp-ce6it Ap An mb6tAp Agtif IAD Ag feinm 50 binn, Ajuf CtiAlAi-6 fe gut AS p A*, "cApp linn 50 cip DA f<3j; Aguf HA f UAimneAf." T)'f.euC fe
CAOb f1Ap "66 AgUf Cot1flA1|\C f 6 t»AltA tnOfl AfT) A|\ A
Cut Aguf A|\ 5A6 CAoiG "oe, Aj;up niojt fr^At) f e
Aif tAf An mbAtlA, ci* 50 fAiti mi An
T)'imti§ f6 A|\ A$Ait> Ann pn AntMAi 5 An 6e6il. til
l An
50 T)CAn-
50 h-AbAinn m<5ip, Agtif uifge mnci Com le puit. tAinig icngAnuAf Aip Ann fin,
fiut)lAT)Af\ nA pp-ce6it tAp An AbAinn A T)O pliuCdt), Agup teAn PALAIS O |?Loinn IAT) A CofA pom "oo ptmCAt). SAOII fe, i "ocofAC, 50 mbut) flUAg-fitie nA pip-ceOit, Aguf fAoil fe Ann fin 50 bpuAip fe bAf Aguf 50 mbtfb fUiA$ AingeAl -oo bi <\nn t)o bi t)'^ tAbAipc 50 flAiteAf.
nA bAttAtt) UA(tA Ann fin, A|t gAC CAOlb,
50 mACAipe m6p LeAtAn. t)i f IATJ AJ; ^5 fip-miteACc Ann fin, 50 -DrAngA-DAp 50 CAif- teAn bpeA$ T>O bi i tAp AH riiACAipe. CuAit) nA pp- ce6it AfceAC Ann, Ajuf -o'pAn p^-opAis O "ptomn Atnui$. tliop bpAt)A 50 T)CAini5 UACcApAn IIA bpeAp ce6il AmAC Cuige Aguf tug AfceAC 50 feompA Altnnn e. tliop lAbAip fe pocAt, Agiif nTop CuAlAit) PA-QPAIJ O ptoinn Aon pocAt AttiAin Com fATtA Aguf bi fe Ann.
Hi jiAib AOII oit)Ce Ann fAn AIC fin, ACc fotuf
125
and out in front of him a shining road. The musicians were on the road, and they playing melodiously, and he heard a voice saying "Come with us to the land of delight and rest." He looked back and he beheld a great high wall behind him and on each side of him, and he was not able to return back again across the wall, although he desired to return. He went forward then after the music. He did not know how long he walked, but the great high wall kept ever on each side of him and behind him.
He was going and ever-going, until they came to a great river, and water in it as red as blood. Wonder came upon him then, and great fear. But the musicians walked across the river without wetting their feet, and Patrick O'Flynn followed them without wetting his own. He thought at first that the musicians belonged to the Fairy-Host, and next he thought that he had died and that it was a group of angels that were in it, taking him to heaven.
The walls fell away from them, then, on each side, and they came to a great wide plain. They were going then, and ever-going, until they came to a fine castle that was in the midst of the plain. The musicians went in, but Patrick O'Flynn remained outside. It was not long until the chief of the musicians came out to him and brought him in to a handsome chamber. He spoke not a word, and Patrick O'Fiynn never heard one word spoken so long as he re mained there.
There was no night in that place, but the light of day
126
Ap PAT>. tli op it ^5"f tiTofx 61 fe Aon nit), Aj;iif 111 f.ACAiti fe Aon -ouiiie Ann A§ lie ru AJ 61, A^up nlop pcop An ceol. tl-uile leAC-UAip, mAp fAoil fe, T>O CtumeAt) fe clog, mAp tteixjOAt) clog ceAmpotll, •o'x.x biiAtAti, ACc tn £ACAit> pe XMI clog, Ajup nioji pe ^ feiceAL 1 n-^ic A]A bit.
t6it)8At) HA |Mp-ceOil Am AC Ann fAn niA AH CAipleAin, t)o CigeA-O cpeib -oe SAC uile f6pc -o'^AnACAit) Ann pAn fpeip Ag peinm An Ceoil but) ttmne T)A'|\ CuAlAit) ctuAf ApiArii. 1p mmic AtiutoAipc pAt)pAi5 O ploinn tetp pein " ip cinnce 50 tipuil m^ Ann fAn bf.LAiteAp, ACc nAC AipceAC e HAC tipuil cuiriine AgAm A|\ tmneAf nA Ap O.Af nA AJ\ opeiteAriinAp, nAC tipACAit) me DIA nA A mAtAif t»eAnnui$te ACA eAllcA "Otimn."
11i fv Ait) flop AS PA-OPAIJ O ptoinn CA pAT) Gi f6 Ann 4ic Aoittmn fin. SAOII fe nAC f Ait> fe innci ACn geApp ACc 5i fe mnui btiA-6Ain Ajuf ceA-o.
Aon IA ArhAin tti nA f.i|A-ceCii Ainuig Annf An bpAipc t>i feifeAn AS eifceACc Ie6, nuA!f\ tAinig An Cuije. T)o tug ffi AITIAC e, Agup Cuip. p6 e CAob-piAp -oe nA f.ip-ce6il. "O'lmtijeA-OAp Ap piuttAl, Agup ni ]\Aib pcop nA PCAT» ACA 50 •ocAnsA-OAjv Cum nA li-Aibne -oo bi Corh -oeAps te fuil. CUA-OA^ Cj\ApnA pin $An pliuCAt) boinn, Aguf •o'ltncigeA'OAfx Ap
* Compare the curious poem in the Liber Hymnorum at p. 185 of ths edition published by Dr. Bernard and Dr. Atkinson, of the sing- ing birds of which St. Philip told, who inhabited Inis Eidheand, a land full of rivers. Seacht n-aibhne finda co fad \ i-na muighibk i fuiled | A* eadh no.iMathand dogrts \ canaid ceolu co cain-lte, i.f.
127
throughout. He never ate and he never drank a, single thing there, and he never saw anyone eating or drinking, and the music never ceased. Every half-hour, as he thought, he used to hear a bell, as it were a church-bell, being rung, but he never beheld the bell, and he was unable to see it in any place.
When the musicians used to go out upon the plain before the castle, there used to come a tribe of every sort of birds in the heavens,* playing the most melodious music that eir ever heard. It was often Patrick O'Flynn sai<l to himself, "It is certain that I am in Heaven, but is it not curious that I have no remembrance of sickness, nor of death, nor of judgment, and that I have not seen God nor His Blessed Mother, as is promised to us ! "
Patrick O'Flynn did not know ho\v long he was in that delightful place. He thought that he had been in it only for a short little time, but he was in it for a hundred years and one.
One day the musicians were out in the field and he was listening to them, when the chief came to him. He brought him out and put him behind the musicians. They departed on their way, and they made neither stop nor stay until they came to the river that was as red as blcod. They went across that, without wetting their foot-soles, and went
Seven fair rivers in all their length \ are in theplains where they dwell \ it is t/iis that feeds them for ever \ and they siny songs with fair custom. So sweetly do they sing that the poet says —
"OA cluirroip pip eotn 5111 ACC In coicetJAt CAerii COITHVAJIC, tnli, mop in IIIOT>,
i.e. If men should hear (these) faultless birds | this fair equally- balanced concert | they would all dio — gre-.it the deed — | on listen- ing to the harmony. According to the Leabhar Breac there are birds in heaven with " 100 wings on each bird and 100 melodies in each wing."
128
50 •ocAngA'OAf. Cum nA pAif.ce 1 nj;Af. -oon cotAifce, An ,A"IC