pagan ancient Gaelic festival celebrated April 30th/May 1st (Story Summarized Cont. entry) |
BELTANE At dawn our Maggie rose To wash her face in dew, Sprigs o' rowan in her hair, Red ribbon-laced her leather shoon. Cattle led out to the summer pastures Graze placidly thru' the day, While villagers, auld and young, Hied to the woods agatherin' the May. Yestreen all sang and danced The fertile season in, Bonfires lit frae the sacred woods Burned bricht amidst the din. Ma said the witches are abroad On ilka Beltane eve. Hush, wee Florrie, dinna greet, Here, wipe yer nose upon yer sleeve. Ma left ale and bread for the wee folk We should come to nae hairm. Hush there noo, wee Florrie, Juist ye take my airm. Our Maggie gang a'Maying Wi' the aulder lads and lassies. Airmfuls o' branches they will bring Back to share wi' us bairnies. Apple blossoms pink and white They'll bring back frae the woods, Rowan, hawthorn, maple, too, If we be meek and gude. A' back noo frae their fun and games, A' pink and bricht o' een, But where's our Maggie, someone asks, What did Florrie see yestreen? A tall, dark lad, strange and prood, As braw as braw could be. Bless us! Our Maggie gang lost her heart to the King o' the Sidhe. Vocabulary shoon: shoes yestreen: yester evening frae: from bricht: bright ilka: each/every greet: weep noo: now bairnies: children een: eyes prood: proud braw: handsome |