Ossian Collection > Carmina gadelica > Volume 1

LABOUR 293
MARKING THE LAMBS
'crocan/ ' corran/ 'duile,' 'nieaghlan,' 'meangan,' 'sgolta,' 'slios,' 'snathad,' 'sulag,'
' toll.' These marks and their modifications are said to number over 2;J0 in the island
of Benbecula, in the island of North Uist over 480, and in the island of South
Uist over 500. The people know all these marks and modifications at a glance.
When a man marries, it is considered a good omen of the union when the marks
on his own sheep and those on the sheep brought him by his wife are nearly alike,
and the necessary change easily effected.
' IAHRATAS XA I'AOIHE B1GE. THE REQUEST OP THE LITTLE SHEEP.
Na lorn mo oheanii, Do not clip my head,
'S na loisg mo chiiamlian. ' And do not burn my bones.
The small native sheep have a long tuft of wool called 'sguman' coming down
the face. They are hardy, picturesque little animals, almost wholly free from the
innumerable diseases which the larger but softer breeds of sheep have brought in
their train. The sheep is regarded with a veneration which is not extended to the
cow or other animals.
My knife will be new, keen, clean, without stain,
My plaid beneath my knee with my red robe,
I will put sunwise round my breast the first cut for luck,
The next one after that with the sun as it moves.
A male lamb without blemish, of one colour, without defect,
Allow thou out on the plain, nor his flowing blood check,
If the froth remains on the heather with red top,
My flock will be without flaw as long as I change not the
name.
The Three who are above in the City of glory,
Be shepherding my flock and my kine,
Tending them duly in heat, in storm, and in cold,
With the blessing of power driving them down
From yonder height to the sheiling fold.