Ortha Nan Gaidheal (Carmina Gadelica)
The Carmina Gadelica is a collection of prayers, hymns, incantations, runes and other literary-folkloric poems and songs collected and translated by Alexander Carmichael in the gaelic-speaking regions of Scotland between 1855-1910. Here is one from that collection entitled ‘Rann Romh Urnuigh’ or “A Rune Before Prayer”. A rune, in this sense, basically means ‘to talk in secret or to whisper’, so this would be to prepare yourself before God, prior to lifting up prayers to Him.
Ta mi lubadh mo ghlun
An suil an Athar a chruthaich mi,
An suil an Mhic a cheannaich mi,
An suil an Spioraid a ghlanaich mi,
Le caird agus caoimh.
Tre t’Aon Unga fein a Dhe,
Tabhair duinn tachar ‘n ar teinn,
Gaol De,
Gradh De,
Gair De,
Gais De,
Gras De,
Sgath De,
Is toil De,
Dheanamh air talamh nan Tre,
Mar ta ainghlich is naoimhich
A toighe air neamh.
Gach duar agus soillse,
Gach la agus oidhche,
Gach uair ann an caoimhe,
Thoir duinn do ghne.
I am bending my knee
In the eye of the Father who created me,
In the eye of the Son who purchased me,
In the eye of the Spirit who cleansed me,
In friendship and affection.
Through Thine own Anointed One, O God,
Bestow upon us fullness in our need,
Love towards God,
The affection of God,
The smile of God,
The wisdom of God.
The grace of God,
The fear of God,
And the will of God
To do on the world of the Three,
As angels and saints
Do in heaven;
Each shade and light,
Each day and night,
Each time in kindness,
Give Thou us Thy Spirit.
