SOME OF MY FAVORITE IRISH BLESSINGS
(From "IRISH BLESSINGS An Illustrated Edition " Kilkenny Press (ISBN 0-517-69688-6)
As you read these, just remember the anonymous writer’s words: "If you’re lucky enough to be Irish…you’re lucky enough!"
IRELAND
It’s the one place on earth That Heaven has kissed With melody, mirth And meadow and mist.
W W W W W W
These things I warmly wish for you— Someone to love, Some work to do, A bit o’ sun A bit o’ cheer And a guardian angel Always near.
May your blessings outnumber The shamrocks that grow And may trouble avoid you Wherever you go.
May the good saints protect you And bless you today And may trouble ignore you Each step of the way.
Lucky stars above you, Sunshine on your way, Many friends to love you, Joy in work and play— Laughter to outweigh each care, In your heart a song— And gladness waiting everywhere All your whole life long!
An Irish Prayer
You’ve blessed me with friends And laughter and fun With rain that’s as soft As the light from the sun— You’ve blessed me with stars to brighten each night You’ve given me help To know wrong from right— You’ve given me so much Please, Lord, give me too, A heart that is always Grateful to you.
May you always have these blessings… A soft breeze when summer comes— A warm fireside in Winter— And always—the warm, soft smile of a friend.
From the Breastplate of St. Patrick
Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
and
May you be blessed with the strength of heaven— the light of the sun and the radiance of the moon the splendor of fire–– the speed of lightning–– the swiftness of wind–– the depth of the sea–– the stability of earth and the firmness of rock.
Grant me a sense of humor, Lord. The saving grace to see a joke, To win some happiness from life, And pass it on to other folk.
May you be half an hour in Heaven Before the devil knows you’re dead.
May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face; The rains fall soft upon your fields And, until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
May the grace of God’s protection And His great love abide Within your home–within the hearts Of all who dwell inside.
Come and take pot-luck with me My hearth is warm, my friendship’s free.
May there always be work For your hands to do–– May your purse always hold A coin or two–– May the sun always shine On your windowpane May a rainbow be certain To follow each rain–– May the hand of a friend Always be near you May God fill your heart With gladness to cheer you.
May the hinges of our friendship never grow rusty!
All the little leprechauns In Ireland’s sunny isle Couldn’t bring you all the luck I’m wishing you the while.
May good luck befriend you, And kind fortune send you whatever your heart may be wishin’ May good friends be near you To gladden and to cheer you, And help you attain each ambition.
Here’s wishing you the tops o’ life Without a single tumble. Here’s wishing you the smiles o’ life And not a single grumble. Here’s wishing you the best o’ life And not a flaw about it. Here’s wishing you all the joy in life And not a day without it!
May God grant you many years, For sure He must be knowing, The earth has angels all too few, And Heaven is overflowing.
May leprechauns strew happiness Wherever you walk each day, And Irish angels smile on you All along the way!
‘Tis glad I am, And glad I’ll be, Knowin’ you like The likes o’ me!
WHERE IS IRELAND?
No latitude or longitude Can bound the Emerald Isle. You’ll find it off in Timbuktu Or down along the Nile.
Wherever mothers stoop to smooth A baby’s tousled hair, And croon an Irish lullaby–– Ireland is there!
Wherever men are brave and true And quick to take a stand And proud to fight, if fight they must–– There is Ireland!
Wherever a lad and lassie meet A merry dance to share, (Oh, echoes of the Blarney Stone!) Ireland is there!
Wherever there’s a song to sing, A friend that needs a hand, A cause to follow, come what may–– There is Ireland!
No latitude or longitude Can bound the Emerald Isle. You’ll find it in a pair of eyes, You’ll find it in a smile.
You’ll know it by its laughter, You’ll know it by its tears, You’ll know it by the warmth of heart That lasts through all the years!