Ossian Collection > Gaelic bards

ALEXANDER MACDONALD.
Bless our yards and all our mast-hoops ;
Our masts and ropes, one and all ;
Our halyards and stays keep unbroken —
Let no ill through them befall.
May the Holy Spirit be at the helm,
And guide to the proper place ;
He knows each port beneath the sun,
We cast us on His grace.
THE BLESSING OF THE ARMS.
May God bless all our weajions —
Our blades of Spain, sharp and grey,
And our massy mails which are able
The keenest edge to stay ;
Our swords of steel and our corslets,
And our curled and shapely targets —
Bless them all without exception —
The arms our shoulder-belts carry.
Our bows of yew, well made and handsome,
Bent oft times in the breast of battle ;
Our birchen shafts not prone to splinter.
Cased in the sullen badger's hide.
Bless our poinards and our pistols.
And our tartans fine and folded,
And every implement of warfare
In MacDon aid's bark this hour.
Be you, our crew, not soft or simple ;
Hardily brave deeds encounter ;
While four boards shall hold together,
Or one plank to plank be tied —
While beneath your feet she welters,
Or one knob remains above,
Oh ! defy each sight of terror
Your strong hearts to melt or move.