Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Joe_F
Date: 16 Jul 10 - 08:58 PM

The traditional Jewish graces at table are:

Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who bringest forth bread from the earth.

Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who createst
the fruit of the vine.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: GUEST,Angela
Date: 16 Jul 10 - 06:01 PM

This is the one we taught small children, especially groups of them. It's done in a sing-song way.

"Thank you, thank you, Jesus.
Thank you, thank you, Jesus.

Thank you, thank you, Jesus,
For the food,

Amen!"

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: GUEST,Angela
Date: 16 Jul 10 - 05:58 PM

This is the one my cousin gave us when he came home one Thanksgiving from Lutheran Seminiary, he's a Bishop now.

"Good bread, good meat,
good God, let's eat."

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Mr Fox
Date: 31 Jul 06 - 11:47 AM

"May you be in heaven a good half-hour before the Devil finds out that you're dead"

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Jul 06 - 04:13 PM

The Harvest
by Alice C. Henderson

The silver rain, the shining sun,
the fields where scarlet poppies run
and all the ripples of the wheat
are in the bread that I do eat.

So when I sit for every meal
and say a grace I always feel
that I am eating rain and sun
and fields where scarlet poppies run.

A Google search found a few postings of this only in some pdfs and docs -- some which might intrigue those interested in this topic -- and only once with this attribution.

When we sang it at (Quaker) camp the second line of the second stanza was:
"with thankful heart I always do feel"

We sang Johnny Appleseed in the second version posted above. My son has just come back from the same camps and they sing "Earth" instead of "Lord", now. But it's still said to be a rainmaking song.

We used to sing several different "Allelulia" rounds, and Hava Nashira, too.

Sometimes we were just silent.

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: GUEST,Chris Rowbury
Date: 30 Jul 06 - 10:48 AM

Saro

You mentioned "Blessed are we in the morning ..." as taught to you by Mary Eagle. I had the words for this already, but any idea where I can get hold of the tune?

Chris

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Emma B
Date: 27 Jul 06 - 01:17 PM

One from childhood often said with feeling by my mother

Thank the Lord for what we've had
If it had been a bit more we'd have been very glad
But, seeing as times are so very bad
Thank the Lord for what we've had

Sian I have a slightly different translation of the bardic recitation by R J Stewart

Grant, O Divine Being, thy Protection
And in Protection, Strength
And in Strength, Understanding
And in Understanding, Knowledge
And in Knowledge, the Knowledge of Justice
And in the Knowledge of Justice, the Love of Justice
And in that Love, the Love of all Beings
And in the Love of all Beings, The Love of Divine Being

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Scoville
Date: 27 Jul 06 - 12:57 PM

We don't generally say grace at all but when pressed my mother trots out:

"[Lord] Bless this food to our use and us to thy service," which is about what the rest of us unbelievers can tolerate. Short, to the point, and not overbearing.





And we sing the Johnny Appleseed song at meeting before potluck. Mom hates it but the kids all like it and it doesn't offend anyone in a meeting where lots of people consider themselves to be in recovery from Southern Baptist and Catholic upbringings.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: GUEST,An Buachaill Caol Dubh
Date: 27 Jul 06 - 10:37 AM

As a "toast" rather than a "Grace", I like this one:

"Here's to the Harp of Ireland, and may she never lack a string as long as there's a gut in the Peeler".

Just in case anyone doesn't already know this, "Peeler" is an old term for a policeman (from the politician, Robert Peel; whence also the fairly polite term "Bobbies").

For a "Grace", this one, "The Selkirk Grace" (often attributed to Robert Burns) is humorous and comprehensive:

"Some hae meat, and canna eat,
And some hae nane that want it;
But we hae meat, and we can eat,
And sae, the Lord be thankit"

And one he really did make is witty:

"Oh Lord, since we hae feasted thus,
Which we so little merit,
May Jock nou tak awa the Flesh,
And Meg bring in the Spirit"

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Sorcha
Date: 26 Jul 06 - 11:06 PM

LOL....lovin it!

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: John O'L
Date: 26 Jul 06 - 09:10 PM

From ghoulies and ghosties and long legged beasties and things that go bump in the night...
Good Lord preserve us

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: GUEST,Mary Katherine
Date: 26 Jul 06 - 08:48 PM

The funniest one I ever heard was from my then-14 year old son at a long ago Thanksgiving dinner, said with a perfectly straight face as if it was a grace before meals:

"Dear Lord, please don't let this be my real family. Amen."

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: EBarnacle
Date: 26 Jul 06 - 08:43 PM

In Denmark during a visit in 1978, I picked up a small book of trad poetry. It included the following, which I translated from the Danish:

Here's to all the good folks who have enough to eat,
Here's to all the poor folks who haven't any meat;
Here's to all the lucky ones with no reason to complain
And we'll pray for sunshine on a cloudy day.

[can also be sung to "lille Peder Adderkop," also known as the "Inky Dinky Spider."

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Sorcha
Date: 26 Jul 06 - 03:57 PM

HEY! This is a Blessings thread...start yer own Toasts thread!!!!
:)

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Megan L
Date: 26 Jul 06 - 02:46 PM

Guid thochts
guid company
and guid ale
aw a man may need

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Sorcha
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 10:27 PM

Hey....the thread took off!!! Right ON!

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Megan L
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 06:54 PM

I love it Rowan thanks

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: GUEST,Rowan
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 06:35 PM

Some of the ones posted by MeganL would be known in Australia as "Toasts" rather than blessings or graces. I offer her one for her collection.

Here's to you, as good as you are!
And here's to me, as bad as I am!
And, as good as you are,
and, as bad as I am,
I'm as good as you are,
as bad as I am!

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Emma B
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 06:15 PM

Beannachadh Cruidh - Blessing the Cattle

Buachaille Chalum Chille
A bith mo'r casan, s'guma slan
A thig sibh dhachaigh.

May the shepherd of St. Columba
Be about your feet, and may you come home safely.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 04:41 PM

For what we are about to receive
May the Lord make us truly thankful
Amen

(usually recited before meals or receiving enemy shot)

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Megan L
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 04:15 PM

Work like you don't need the money.
Love like you've never been hurt.
Dance like nobody's watching.
Sing like nobody's listening.
Live like it's Heaven on Earth.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Megan L
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 03:54 PM

Spare Us the Fall
May the roof above
never fall in,
May we below
never fall out.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Megan L
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 03:53 PM

Deep peace of the running wave to you.
Deep peace of the flowing air to you.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.
Deep peace of the shining stars to you.
Deep peace of the infinite peace to you.
Adapted from - ancient gaelic runes

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Megan L
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 03:50 PM

We bathe your palms
In the showers of wine,
In the crook of the kindling,
In the seven elements,
In the sap of the tree,
In the milk of honey,

We place nine pure, choice gifts
In your clear beloved face:

The gift of form,
The gift of voice,
The gift of fortune,
The gift of goodness,
The gift of eminence,
The gift of charity,
The gift of integrity,
The gift of true nobility,
The gift of apt speech.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Megan L
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 03:48 PM

May there always be work for your hands to do.
May your purse always hold a coin or two.
May the sun always shine upon your window pane.
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near to you and
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Megan L
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 03:47 PM

God to enfold me,
God to surround me,
God in my speaking,
God in my thinking.

God in my sleeping,
God in my waking,
God in my watching,
God in my hoping.

God in my life,
God in my lips,
God in my soul,
God in my heart.

God in my sufficing,
God in my slumber,
God in mine ever-living soul,
God in mine eternity.
Ancient celtic oral traditions - carmina gadelica

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Megan L
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 03:45 PM

May all evil sleep,
May all good awake,
In thy way.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Megan L
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 03:41 PM

May you have,
Walls for the wind
And a roof for the rain,
And drinks bedside the fire
Laughter to cheer you
And those you love near you,
And all that your heart may desire

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Saro
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 03:38 PM

My good friend Mary Eagle taught me this (it can be sung as a round)
Blessed are we in the morning for we shall be renewed
Blessed are we in the evening for we shall be festooned
With all the graces of the spirit
The flowers of love divine.

saro

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Megan L
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 03:32 PM

If there is righteousness in the heart,
there will be beauty in the character.
If there is beauty in the character,
there will be harmony in the home.
If there is harmony in the home,
there will be order in the nation.
If there is order in the nation,
there will be peace in the world.
So let it be.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Megan L
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 03:26 PM

The Bon Accord

Happy to meet
Sorry to part
Happy to meet again

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Megan L
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 03:22 PM

May ye ne'er want a frien' or a dram to gie him.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Megan L
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 03:22 PM

May the hill rise behind you,
And may the mountain be always over the crest;
And may the God that you believe in
Hold you in the palm of his hand.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Megan L
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 03:21 PM

Here's tae us -
Wha's like us -
Damn few -
And they're a' deid -
Mairs the pity!

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Megan L
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 03:20 PM

Here's to all those that I love
Here's to all those that love me.
And here's to all those that love those that I love,
And all those that love those that love me.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Megan L
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 03:19 PM

May the best ye hae ivver seen be the warst ye'll ivver see.
May the moose ne'er lea' yer girnal wi a tear-drap in its ee.
May ye aye keep hail an hertie till ye'r auld eneuch tae dee.
May ye aye juist be sae happie as A wuss ye aye tae be.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: open mike
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 02:42 PM

of course the Forever Young posted above by Pauline, is a great blessing/lullaby/greeting/birthday wish/farewell and even funeral tune
it is by Bob Dylan--one of his best--just to credit the source.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Pauline L
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 12:50 PM

I don't really understand what the word "blessing" means. Here is something that has helped me when I've needed it, and it may help others. Does that count?

HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING

(G) C F / C G / C F C / C G C /
C - / C - / C F C / C G C

My life flows on in endless song
Above earth's lamentation.
I hear the real, thought far off hymn
That hails the new creation
Above the tumult and the strife,
I hear the music ringing;
It sounds an echo in my soul
How can I keep from singing?

What through the tempest loudly roars,
I hear the truth, it liveth.
What through the darkness round me close,
Songs in the night it giveth.
No storm can shake my inmost calm
While to that rock I'm clinging.
Since love is lord of Heaven and earth
How can I keep from singing?

When tyrants tremble, sick with fear,
And hear their death-knell ringing,
When friends rejoice both far and near,
How can I keep from singing?
In prison cell and dungeon vile
Our thoughts to them are winging.
When friends by shame are undefiled,
How can I keep from singing?

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Effsee
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 12:04 PM

"God bless you sister, and may all your sons be bishops"
Allegedly said by Brendan Behan to the nun who fluffed up his deathbed pillows.

Another "Arabic I think".... May your balls fester and stick to your pockets.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: sian, west wales
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 11:43 AM

This is the Gorsedd Prayer which is part of the Bardic ceremony of the National Eisteddfod:

Dyro, Dduw, dy nawdd;
Ac yn nawdd, nerth,
Ac yn nerth, deall;
Ac yn neall, gwybod;
Ac yng ngwybod, gwybod y Cyfiawn;
Ac yng ngwyod y Cyfiawn, ei garu;
Ac a garu, caru pob hanfod;
Ac ym mhob hanfod, caru Duw,
Duw a phob Daioni.

And the translation that I have to hand - which seems to have managed to distance itself almost entirely from the poetry of the original:

Grant, O God, Thy protection;
And in protection, strength;
And in strength, understanding;
And in understanding, knowledge;
And in knowledge, knowledge of the Right;
And in knowledge of the Right, the love of it's essence;
And in the love of it's essence, the love of God,
God and all goodness.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 08:13 AM

What's the famous Burns one turned to song by Ian Walker?

Some hae meat and cannae eat
Some would eat as wants it
But we hae meat and we can eat
So let the lord be thankkit

I'm sure some of our northern bretheren will put it right:-)

May the road to hell grow mossy for the want of your feet.

How about a favourite curse as well? Arabic I think

May the hole in your arse heal up...

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: GUEST,Mooh at the cottage
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 07:56 AM

For food in a world where many walk in hunger,
For faith in a world where many walk in fear,
For friends in a world where many walk alone,
We give you humble thanks, oh Lord.

Usually known as The World Hunger Grace, or simply For Food In A World. The usual melody (found in some Girl Guide publications, and as "Crocker" in the United Church of Canada Hymn Book) was written by my Dad.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Purple Foxx
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 06:55 AM

From "Fiddler on the Roof": "Rabbi, is there a blessing for the Tsar?"
Rabbi:"God bless & keep the Tsar,far away from us."
Clearly transferable to other systems of Government.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Paul Burke
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 06:47 AM

May your chewing gum keep its flavour on the bed post overnight.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: John O'L
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 05:45 AM

May you walk through the pearly gates ten minutes before the devil finds out you're dead

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Trevor
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 05:10 AM

This is the one we sometimes finish a gig with:

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.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Pauline L
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 04:14 AM

A specialized blessing for newborns:

May you grow up big and strong
May your life be rich and long
May your nights be filled with song
Welcome to the world.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Pauline L
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 04:11 AM

May God bless and keep you always,
May your wishes all come true,
May you always do for others
And let others do for you.
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung,
May you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.

May you grow up to be righteous,
May you grow up to be true,
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you.
May you always be courageous,
Stand upright and be strong,
May you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.

May your hands always be busy,
May your feet always be swift,
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift.
May your heart always be joyful,
May your song always be sung,
May you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Pauline L
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 04:08 AM

May the rain run off your shoulders
When you're caught out in the storm
When the frost comes a-calling
May it find you safe and warm
May your place be set
May your promises be kept
May you never forget you are loved.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 03:56 AM

My memory is dim, but I think it may have been Walter Brennan in "The Yearling" who said:

    "Bless this food and us that eats it. Amen"
          (All you film fans can correct me.)

Well , it got the job done.