Blair Collection > Carmina gadelica > Volume 1

LABOUR 319
FISHING BLESSING
The people of Uist say that the haddock was the fish in whose mouth Peter
found the tribute-money, and that the two black spots are the marks left by
Peter's fingers when he held the fish to extract the money from its mouth.
The crew of young men who get most haddocks on Christmas Day are looked
upon during the year as the real followers of the king of fishers. There is,
therefore, considerable emulation among the different crews.
The haddock is called Masg Pheadail,' Peter's fish, and ' iasg Pheadair
runaich,' the fish of loving Peter ; and a family of birds ' peadaireach,
' peitirich ' — Peter-hke, petrels, because in their flight they seem to be walking
on the sea.
The tradition as to rowing 707 strokes is curious and interesting. The only
other similar tradition which I know is of the wars between the Fomorians and
the Milesians in Ireland. Both were invaders :— the Milesians earlier, the
Fomorians later. When the Fomorians landed in Ireland the Milesians were
already established, and the result was a long-continued war, till both sides
were exhausted and tired of the strife. During a temporary truce it was agreed
that the Fomorians should retire to the sea and row straight out 707 strokes
from land, and if they succeeded in landing again they were to be allowed to
remain and enjoy their hard-won honours. Whether for good or for ill to
Ireland, the Fomorians effected a landing a second time, and settled in the
south and west of the island.
The Irish were Pagan at the time, and the tradition of the 707 strokes being
imposed by Christ on Peter must have been inserted in the Fomorian tradition
after Ireland became Christian.
The day of light has come upon us,
Christ is born of the Virgin.
In His name I sprinkle the vi^ater
Upon every thing within my court.
Thou King of deeds and powers above,
Thy fishing blessing pour down on us.
I will sit nie down with an oar in my grasp,
I will row me seven hundred and seven [strokes].