Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces

Subject: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Sorcha
Date: 23 Jul 06 - 11:42 AM

This might be interesting....NOT religion...just Blessings. A couple of my favorites are
Johnny Appleseed
Oh, the Lord's been good to me,
He gives me what I need,
The sun and the rain and the appleseed
The Lord's been good to me.

The Philmont Grace (Boy Scouts)

For food, for raiment,
For life, for opportunity,
For friendship and fellowship . . .
We thank Thee, O Lord.

There are some pretty wonderful Irish ones too....anybody?

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: mrdux
Date: 23 Jul 06 - 01:57 PM

i have this one on the bulletin board over my desk in the office . . .

May those who 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 ankles,
So we'll know them by their limping.

-- An Old Irish Blessing (attrib.)

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Sorcha
Date: 23 Jul 06 - 02:52 PM

Yes, I LOVE that one!

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Megan L
Date: 23 Jul 06 - 04:17 PM

A guid maister tae guide ye
a strong hand tae provide
a strong arm tae shield
and love abune it aa

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: BuckMulligan
Date: 23 Jul 06 - 04:39 PM

Rub-a-dub-dub
thanks for the grub
YAY God.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Sorcha
Date: 23 Jul 06 - 05:53 PM

LOL!

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Peace
Date: 23 Jul 06 - 05:57 PM

Father, Son and Holy Ghost,
Who eats the fastest gets the most.

(That's a 'camp' grace.)

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Sorcha
Date: 23 Jul 06 - 06:01 PM

Bless this meat, good lord let's EAT!

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: richd
Date: 23 Jul 06 - 07:10 PM

God bless this bunch
that munch their lunch

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 23 Jul 06 - 07:17 PM

I wrote this one, to the tune of, "White Sand and Grey Sand:"

For food and shelter,
For all Thy blessings
Father, we thank Thee.

Help us to keep all
Children from hunger-
Soon may it be so.      Jean Ritchie (the year 2000)

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Joe Offer
Date: 23 Jul 06 - 07:30 PM

Hey, don't forget Uncle Dave's Grace.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: mrdux
Date: 23 Jul 06 - 08:55 PM

Joe --

I hadn't seen Uncle Dave's Grace before. That's great. Thanks -- and to Uncle Dave, too.

michael

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: open mike
Date: 23 Jul 06 - 09:08 PM

The Lord is good to me,
And so I thank the Lord,
For giving me the things I need,
The sun, the rain and the appleseed
The Lord's been good to me.

I like that one, too (the first line has descending notes,
and in the second line they ascend)

Another one we used to sign at camp was:

Back of the bread is the flour and
Back of the four is the mill and
back of the mill is the sun and the rain
and the Good Lord's will

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Elmer Fudd
Date: 23 Jul 06 - 10:57 PM

SIMPLE GIFTS

'Tis the gift to be simple,
'tis the gift to be free,
'tis the gift to come down where you ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
It will be in the valley of love and delight.

Refrain

When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed.
To turn, turn will be our delight,
'Til by turning, turning we come round right

'Tis the gift to be loved and that love to return,
'Tis the gift to be taught and a richer gift to learn,
And when we expect of others what we try to live each day,
Then we'll all live together and we'll all learn to say,

Refrain

'Tis the gift to have friends and a true friend to be,
'Tis the gift to think of others not to only think of "me",
And when we hear what others really think and really feel,
Then we'll all live together with a love that is real.

Refrain

--Shaker Elder Joseph Brackett, Jr., 1848. First published in "The Gift to be Simple: Shaker Rituals and Songs."

slightly different version in the DT

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Sorcha
Date: 23 Jul 06 - 11:07 PM

THANK YOU ALL!!These are great!!!

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: Janie
Date: 23 Jul 06 - 11:16 PM

from Miss Gween, my son's preschool teacher-

Earth who gives to us this food
Sun who makes it ripe and good
Dear Earth, Dear Sun
By you we live
Our loving thanks to you we give

Blessings on our meal.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: GUEST,Rowan
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 01:35 AM

Subject: RE: Folklore: Favorite Blessings/Graces
From: GUEST,Rowan
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 01:37 AM

Don't know how that happened!

For tea, jam and buttered toast,
praise the father son & holy ghost.

Lord bless this bunch as they munch their lunch (a variation on the one given above)

2, 4, 6, 8
Bog in!
Don't wait!

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.

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: 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 - 04:14 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 - 03:21 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 - 03:22 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 - 03:22 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 - 03:26 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 - 03:32 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: 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 - 03:41 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: 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 - 03:47 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 - 03:48 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 - 03:50 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 - 03:53 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 - 03:54 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 - 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: 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: 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.