Blair Collection > Carmina gadelica > Volume 1

114
ACHAINE
AM BEANNACHADH BAISTIDH
[50]
It is known that a form of baptism prevailed among the Celts previous to the
introduction of Christianity, as forms of baptism prevail among pagan people
now. Whenever possible the Celtic Church christianized existing ceremonies
and days of special observance, grafting the new on the old, as at a later day
Augustine did in southern Britain. Immediately after its birth the nurse or other
person present drops three drops of water on the forehead of the child. The
first drop is in the name of the Father, representing wisdom ; the second drop
is in the name of the Son, representing peace ;
the third drop is in the name of the Spirit,
representing purity. If the child be a male
HI, tha comhnadh nan ard,
Tiur do bheannachd 'na thrath,
Cuimhnich-s'' leanabh mo chri,
An Ainm Athar na sith ;
Trath chuireas sagart an High
Air uisge na brigh,
Builich da beannachd nan Tri
Ta lionadh nan ard.
Beannachd nan Tri
Ta lionadh nan ard.
Crath nuas air do ghras,
Tabh dha feart agus fas,
Tabh dha trein agus treoir,
Tabh dha seilbh agus coir,
Rian agus ciall gun gho,
Gliocas aingeal r''a lo,
Chum''s gun seas e gun sgeo
'Na d' lathair.
Gun seas e gun sgeo
'Na d' lathair.