Ossian Collection > Carmina gadelica

262
CROIS CHRÌOSDA
Cross of Prostration
Crosses of prostration were common throughout the Highlands and
Islands. These were called ' crois sleuchdaidh ' or ' sliachdaidh.' They
had a special purpose. The cross stood afar from all buildings and habita-
tions, and was a conspicuous feature in the landscape. When he reached
the cross the pilgrim was in sight of a temple of worship or of sanctuary.
He prostrated himself at the cross and sang his pilgrim-song or hymn ;
thereafter he went to the church within sight and there made his offering
and said his prayer.
There is a ' crois sleuchdaidh ' at Cnoca Breaca, South Uist. People
from the south end of the island prostrated themselves there, being within
sight of the churches at Hogh Mor. There was another on Sunnamal, a
small sandy tidal island between Benbecula and North Uist. When the
CROIS CHRIOSDA [297]
Beulaiche : Mor Nic Nill, coitear, Baile Mhic Nill, Barraidh
ROIS Chriosd eadar mi 's na sith
Ta stigeadh a mach na steach,
Crois Chriosd eadar mi 's gach ni,
Gach mì-rùn, gach ceach.
Ainglean flathais dha mo dhion,
Ainglean flathanais a nochd,
Ainglean flathais dha mo dhion
Eadar anam agus corp.
[frid
Caim Chriosda dha mo chuartadh
O gach fuath, o gach olc,
O gach tàir ta tighinn tuaitheal
An duathar, ann an tort.
Caim cumhachd Chriosda
Dha mo dhion o gach lochd,
Dha mo chumail o gach ditheil
Ta tighinn an dith dhomh a nochd.