Monday, March 9, 2009

A Bit o' the Emerald Isle

I know it's not quite St. Patrick's Day, but it's never too early to celebrate the wearin' o' the green. This is in honor of Nene.

Irish Marriage Blessing
May God be with you and bless you.May you see your children's children.May you be poor in misfortunesand rich in blessings.May you know nothing but happinessfrom this day forward.

An Old Irish Blessing
May the road rise up to meet you.May the wind always be at your back.May the sun shine warm upon your face,and rains fall soft upon your fields.And until we meet again,May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

A Wish for a Friend
Wishing you a rainbowFor sunlight after showers—Miles and miles of Irish smilesFor golden happy hours—Shamrocks at your doorwayFor luck and laughter too,And a host of friends that never endsEach day your whole life through!

An Irish Prayer
May God give you...For every storm, a rainbow,For every tear, a smile,For every care, a promise,And a blessing in each trial.For every problem life sends,A faithful friend to share,For every sigh, a sweet song,And an answer for each prayer.

An Old Cradle Song
Sleep, my babe, lie still and slumber,All through the nightGuardian angels God will lend thee,All through the nightSoft and drowsy hours are creeping,Hill and vale in slumber sleeping,Mother dear her watch is keeping,All through the nightGod is here, you'll not be lonely,All through the night'Tis not I who guards thee only,All through the nightNight's dark shades will soon be over,Still my watchful care shall hover,God with me His watch is keeping,All through the night

Remembered Joy
Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free!I follow the plan God laid for me.I saw His face, I heard His call,I took His hand and left it all...I could not stay another day,To love, to laugh, to work or play;Tasks left undone must stay that way.And if my parting has left a void,Then fill it with remembered joy.A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss...Ah yes, these things I, too, shall miss.My life's been full, I've savoured much:Good times, good friends, a loved-one's touch.Perhaps my time seemed all too brief—Don't shorten yours with undue grief.Be not burdened with tears of sorrow,Enjoy the sunshine of the morrow.

An Old Celtic Blessing
May the blessing of light be on you—light without and light within.May the blessed sunlight shine on youand warm your hearttill it glows like a great peat fire.


Bless This House
Bless this house, o Lord, we pray.Make it safe by night and day.Bless these walls so firm and stout,Keeping want and trouble out.Bless the roof and chimney tall,Let thy peace lie over all.Bless the doors that they may proveEver open to joy and love.Bless the windows shining bright,Letting in God's heavenly light.Bless the hearth a-blazing there,With smoke ascending like a prayer.Bless the people here within...Keep them pure and free from sin.Bless us all, that one day, weMay be fit, O lord, to dwell with Thee.

In Time of Sorrow...
May you see God's light on the path aheadWhen the road you walk is dark.May you always hear,Even in your hour of sorrow,The gentle singing of the lark.When times are hard may hardnessNever turn your heart to stone,May you always rememberwhen the shadows fall—You do not walk alone.

A Blessing for Fair Day
God be with them now, and bring them home with their fair share of stock or money.

An Old Irish Blessing
May love and laughter light your days,and warm your heart and home.May good and faithful friends be yours,wherever you may roam.May peace and plenty bless your worldwith joy that long endures.May all life's passing seasonsbring the best to you and yours!

My Favorite
May those that love us, love us;and those that don't love us,may God turn their hearts;And if He doesn't turn their hearts,may He turn their anklesso we'll know them by their limping.

I think I just found a four leaf clover,

Twist.