THE TURN OF THE ERMINE

Selected and translated by Jacqueline Gibson and Gwyn Griffiths

An Anthology of Breton Literature

URVAN PERENNES

The Druid's Song/Kan an Drouiz

"Let's sing the source

Which makes the tree grow

The grass tender

And the bird sing

In the silent valleys:

It brings forth health and joy.

Let's sing the wind howling

In the depths of the woods;

Also the thunder roaring:

Taranis gives courage!

Let's sing the ray of Sunshine, the Shower of Rain

Which give fruit to the earth!"

Thus the old Druid sang

Standing on the top of Monts d'Arrée.

                   ***

"Let's sing, let's sing the Fire!

Hidden in the wood, in the stone.

It shines above our heads

A true component of life;

Through it Teutates

Gives strength and light.

Let's sing the sword and the steel,

The Battle, the blood which flows!

The sharp sword which defends our right

And avenges it in blood.

Hesus makes the nations strong

And free, under the heavens."

                    ***

"Let's sing our beloved Land

Which feeds men and animals

How fertile and magnificent it is in the shining sun!

The land of our Ancestors

Is covered in woods

And on its fringe, the sea is full of fish.

Let's also sing our Ancestors,

Their power, their faithfulness.

Our land is their bodies' dust,

Their souls remain.

As long as a single Druid lives

The Gauls will be much praised."

                    ***

"Let's sing the Mistletoe

Which grows on earth

To banish all evils, all fevers,

The priests of the Oak grove

Will soon cut it

With the golden Sickle, from the oak-tree.

Let's finally sing the True Wisdom!

It is written in the world:

To each star Teutates

Has given its radiance,

Has traced its given path;

And to each man, he did the same."

Thus the old Druid sang

Standing on top of the Mount.