Good Wish

Music: © 1986 Jan Harmon/ Words: Traditional

 

Alexander Carmichael collected these words more than a century ago, in Gaelic, from the people of the Scottish Hebrides.  This is his translation, which Kate Barnes (poet laureate of the High Ridges of Maine) sent to Jan Harmon, who set it to this tune and these chords.  I loved to play cellamba with Jan when she sang it.   (GB)

 

Power of raven be thine, power of eagle be thine

Power of storm be thing, power of moon be thine

Power of sea be thine, power of land be thine

Goodness of sea by thine, goodness of earth be thine

 

Each day be joyous to thee, no day be grievous to thee

Love of each face be thine, death on pillow be thine

Goodness of sea be thine, goodness of earth be thine.

 

 

 

Good Wish is recorded on the album Language of the Heart and is also in the songbook One to Sing, One to Haul.