Christ’s Cross
Ascribed to Columbcille
CHRIST’S cross over this face,
and thus over my ear.
Christ’s cross over this eye.
Christ’s cross over this nose.
Christ’s cross over this mouth.
Christ’s cross over this throat.
Christ’s cross over the back of this head.
Christ’s cross over this side.
Christ’s cross over this belly
(so is it fitting).
Christ’s cross over this lower belly.
Christ’s cross over this back.
Christ’s cross over my arms
from my shoulders to my hands.
Christ’s cross over my thighs.
Christ’s cross over my legs.
Christ’s cross to accompany me before me.
Christ’s cross to accompany me behind me.
Christ’s cross to meet every difficulty
both on hollow and hill.
Christ’s cross eastwards facing me.
Christ’s cross back towards the sunset.
In the north, in the south unceasingly
may Christ’s cross straightway be.
Christ’s cross over my teeth
lest injury or harm come to me.
Christ’s cross over my stomach.
Christ’s cross over my heart.
Christ’s cross up to broad (?) Heaven.
Christ’s cross down to earth.
Let no evil or hurt come
to my body or my soul.
Christ’s cross over me as I sit.
Christ’s cross over me as I lie.
Christ’s cross be all my strength
till we reach the King of Heaven.
Christ’s cross over my community.
Christ’s cross over my church.
Christ’s cross in the next world;
Christ’s cross in this.
From the top of my head
to the nail of my foot,
O Christ, against every danger
I trust in the protection of thy cross.
Till the day of my death,
before going into this clay,
I shall draw without . . .
Christ’s cross over this face.