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Lyr Req: scottish poem: blessing for a newborn

12 Dec 04 - 12:40 PM (#1354777)
Subject: Lyr Req: scottish poem
From: GUEST,musicman

Hey all.. especially you scottish type, i am looking for a poem about 10-12 lines, spoken to a newborn accompanied with a coin in the hand for good luck and prosperity. It was spoken to a friend of mine's son by an elderly scottish lady on the occasion of his birth and we'd like to find the poem. please help!...

thanks


musicman


12 Dec 04 - 01:06 PM (#1354789)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: scottish poem
From: dunkel_esel

Where area did the lady come from and was it in scots?

mjxx


12 Dec 04 - 03:54 PM (#1354900)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: scottish poem
From: Malcolm Douglas

More to the point, can you quote even a few words of it? Otherwise we may be looking at needles and haystacks.


12 Dec 04 - 04:50 PM (#1354943)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: scottish poem
From: Polly Squeezebox

I don't know whether either of the following are what you are looking for -

CELTIC BLESSING OF A
NEW BORN CHILD

(This blessing can be performed by the mother as she bathes the baby
in clean, warm water.)

A small wave for your form,
A small wave for your voice,
A small wave for your speech,
A small wave for your means,
A small wave for your generosity,
A small wave for your wealth,
A small wave for your life,
A small wave for your health,
Nine waves of grace upon you,
Waves of the giver of health


A BLESSING    (NOT SPECIFICALLY FOR A NEWBORN, CAN BE USED IF A FRIEND IS MOVING)

May you go forth under the strength of heaven,
under the light of sun,
under the radiance of moon;

May you go forth with the splendour of fire,
with the speed of lightning,
with the swiftness of wind;

May you go forth supported by the depth of sea,
by the stability of earth,
by the firmness of rock;

May you be surrounded and encircled
above, below and about,
with the protection of the nine elements.


12 Dec 04 - 06:31 PM (#1355046)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: scottish poem
From: GUEST

Doesn't sound much like what was asked for, but who can tell? What are the sources for the verses quoted?


12 Dec 04 - 06:41 PM (#1355051)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: scottish poem
From: Metchosin

Our wee Jimmy is no fool
He keeps his pennies in his stool

Probably not that either, it was painted on my cousin's small piggy bank bench.


12 Dec 04 - 07:18 PM (#1355082)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: scottish poem
From: akenaton

could even be a song like "Coulters candy".

It was often sung to small children with a ba'bee (half penny)as a gift.

Ally Bally, Ally bally bee.
Sittin oan yer mammy's knee,
Greetin for a wee Ba'bee
Tae buy some Coulters candy


13 Dec 04 - 05:22 AM (#1355424)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: scottish poem
From: John MacKenzie

There is an old tradition of giving a child a 'Luck Penny' it may have something to do with that. although I've had a look myself and can't pin anything down.
Giok


13 Dec 04 - 05:26 AM (#1355427)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: scottish poem
From: Crystal

I thought it was pronounced Baw'Bee, or is that just Dundee?


13 Dec 04 - 10:55 AM (#1355613)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: scottish poem
From: katlaughing

Guy, I'll bte Jude/Alba will know this. She's away right now, but should be back soon. I'll be sure to point out this thread to her. In the meantime I did find these with pronunciation guide (though I have no idea if they are correct or not):


The Blessing for a Baby

      Gum bi thu, a naoinein bhig, fallain, ionraic, sona air feadh do bheatha gu le\ir.

      (Goom bee oo, a NOO-ee-nyehn VIK, FOWL-leen, EE-un-rike, SAW-na air FEE-ugh daw VEH-huh guh LYEHR)

      May you, little baby, be healthy, upright and happy throughout your whole life.


      An alternative blessing:

      Gum bi a' bheatha a' frasadh ort, a naoinein bhig, an fhallaineachd, an ionracas, an sonas mar thiodhlacan.

      (Goom bee uh VEH-huh uh FRASS-ugh ORSHT, uh NOO-ee-nyehn VIK, un-ALL-ah-nyawchd, un EE-un-rike-uss, un SAW-nuss marr HYAW-lahch-kun)

      May life be showering upon you, little baby, healthiness, uprightness and happiness as gifts.


13 Dec 04 - 11:03 AM (#1355618)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: scottish poem
From: John MacKenzie

Luck Penny Serendipity
Giok


13 Dec 04 - 01:15 PM (#1355760)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: scottish poem
From: Polly Squeezebox

The two blessings I posted above are from CELTIC DEVOTIONAL by Caitlin Matthews, published by Godsfield Press. ISBN 1899434062.
No credit given on either - so they could be Caitlin's own or traditional.

Pauline


13 Dec 04 - 08:10 PM (#1356098)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: scottish poem
From: Tattie Bogle

Probably not what you're looking for, but often sung at Church of Scotland baptisms:
The Lord bless thee and keep thee,
The Lord make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee,
The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee,
And give thee peace.
(You can use "you" instead of "thee")


14 Dec 04 - 07:29 AM (#1356431)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: scottish poem
From: GUEST,Not just the Church of Scotland

The blessing in the previous post is older than the Kirk -- you'll find it in the Book of Numbers (6:22-27). It's the blessing God gives to Moses:

Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
"Speak to Aaron and his sons and say,
'Thus shall you bless the sons of Israel. You shall say to them:
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make His face shine on you
and be gracious to you.
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you
and give you peace.'
So shall they invoke My name on the sons of Israel,
and I shall bless them."


14 Dec 04 - 07:30 PM (#1357064)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: scottish poem
From: Tattie Bogle

Thanks for the info;didn't know that's where it came from. I Know now!