Digital Tradition Mirror

Wha Sains the Hoose the Nicht?

Wha Sains the Hoose the Nicht?

     Wha sains the hoose the nicht?
     They that sains it ilka nicht--
     Saint Bryde an her brat,
     Saint Colme an his hat,
     Saint Michael an his spear,
     Keep this hoose frae the weir,
     Frae rinnin thief,
     Frae burnin thief,
     An frae a ill rea
     That by the gate can gae,
     An frae an ill wicht
     That by the gate can licht.
     ________________________________________________________

     Bough II (1959), 24 [quoting George Sinclair, Satan's
     Invisible World Discovered (1685; repr. 1789)], who
     glosses brat as "mantle" [from Gaelic] and rea as "evil
     spirit" [cf. ree "crazy", etc.].
     The Bride referred to is "St. Bride of the Isles",
     venerated in the Highlands and Islands as Muime Chroisd,
     the foster-mother of Christ.  Bride, Columba and Michael
     are often found together in spells of this nature: cf.
     MacNeill, ibid., quoting Alexander Stewart, 'Twixt Ben
     Nevis and Glencoe (1885).  Cf. ODNR 303 (no. 346), note to
     the charm "Matthew, Mark, Luke and John".

MS
APR99

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!