J. F. Campbell Collection > Popular rhymes of Scotland

02 POPULAR RHYMES OF SCOTLAND.
parish of Ordiquhill, Banifshire, lying- adjacent to Comhill,
where the well-known Comhill markets are held. It
was long- noted for the industry of its inhabitants and the
thrift of its women, which no doubt gave rise to the above
saying.' — Correspondent.
WESTERN ISLANDS.
The inhabitants of lona entertain a belief that the deso-
late shrine of St Columba shall yet be restored to its primi-
tive glory and sanctity ; and, in support of the notion, quote
no less credible authority than that of Columba himself,
expressed in the following lines : —
An I, mo ehridhe ! I mo ghraidh !
An aite guth mhanach bidh geum ba ;
Ach mun tig an saoghal gu crich
Bithidh I mar a bha !
Thus literally translated —
In lona of my heart, lona of my love,
Instead of the voice of monks, shall be lowing of cattle ;
But ere the world come to an end,
lona shall be as it was.
Implying, says Paterson, author of the Legend of lona,
that the island, after ages of ruin and neglect, shall again
be the retreat of piety and learning. This sentiment seems
to have struck Dr Johnson, without any knowledge of
Columba's prophecy. ' Perhaps in the revolutions of the
world, lona may be some time again the instructress of the
western regions.' — Jour, to West. Islands.
In illustration of the above rhyme, it is necessary to state
that I (pronounced Ee) is the popular local appellation of
lona. The inscriptions on some of the tombstones among
the ruins of the monastery, of a very ancient date, designate
it Hi or Hij. I signifies island, and is synonymous with
inch. Icolmkill, the name given to the island in honour of
its celebrated resident, literally interpreted, signifies The
Island of Columba of Cells. lona, which may be called the