Irish blessing - Version 3

Translated into ASL by David Bar-Tzur

Created 5 July 2008, links updated monthly with the help of LinkAlarm.

EXPLANATION OF THE GLOSSING SYSTEM
(to understand how I describe the signs in this translation).

PRAY+ ROAD SURFACE-MEET-FEET HELP SUPPORT (2h)YOU.
PRAY+ WIND PUSH+ RIGHT WAY.
PRAY+ SUNSHINE HELP YOUR FACE WARM.
PLUS RAIN CAUSE FARM LAND GROW'spiral up'.
UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN,
PRAY GOD RAISE-UP (2h)YOU WITH HIS-rt HANDS.

PRAY+ GOD GO-WITH AND BLESS (2h)YOU.
PRAY+ (2h)YOU LIVE LONG SEE YOUR GRANDCHILDREN
BAD LUCK, PRAY+ (2h)YOU BARELY-ENOUGH.
BUT BLESS+ OVERFLOW LIKE RICH.
EVERYDAY HAPPY, SAD NO-MORE
FROM-NOW-ON FOREVER.

PRAY+ ROAD SURFACE-MEET-FEET HELP SUPPORT (2h)YOU.
PRAY+ WIND PUSH+ RIGHT WAY.
PRAY+ SUNSHINE MAKE YOUR HOME WARM.
YOUR FRIENDS ALWAYS CLOSE WILLING HELP.

PRAY+ GRASS ALWAYS GREEN UNDER (2h)YOU.
PRAY+ SKY ALWAYS BLUE ABOVE (2h)YOU.
PRAY+ EVERYTHING (2h)YOU JUMP-FOR-JOY PURE.
EVERY HEART THAT LOVE (2h)YOU NEVER STOP.


Notes: SURFACE-MEET-FEET - [V] is held as in the sign STAND and the dorsal (back) side of the NDH comes up from underneath and meets the "feet".

(2h)YOU - Underlined words are honorific indices ("indexes"), using the FT of the upturned palm to indicate who is being honored.

CAUSE - (2h)[S] are held at the chest as if holding a rope and move forward while opening to (2h)[5]. For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see ASL browser - cause.

RAISE-UP - (2h)[B], POs down, FOs away, lower slightly, supinate, and rise up.

BLESS - (2h)[O^], POs ><, held at mouth. Hands are brought downwards while opening to (2h)[5]. For a QuickTime file of this sign, see ASL Pro: Bless.

BARELY-ENOUGH - (2h)[open 8] alt. move in vertical circles striking respective sides of mouth.

OVERFLOW - [5], PO down, FO away, covers top of [S], PO > DS, FO away, and FT wiggle as the hand moves away, like a cup overflowing. For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see ASL browser - overflow.

NO-MORE - (2h)[B], POs down, cross at wrists, then uncross moving horizontally and emphatically. For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see ASL browser - don't.

FROM-NOW-ON - (2h)[B^], POs ><, FOs away, DHFT touches knuckle side of NDHFT and moves away in a downward arc. For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see ASL browser - from now on.

SKY - using the FT of the upturned palm, point > sky and sweep the hand > DS. For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see ASL browser - sky.

ABOVE - (2h)[5], POs <, FOs away, DH starts touching the NDH on the dorsal (back) side and then spirals above it.

JUMP-FOR-JOY - Start with the sign STAND and repeatedly and rapidly raise and lower the DH while curling the FT to show a person jumping.

PURE - Like NICE but the DH moves backwards slightly on the palm, pauses, then moves forward rapidly to show intensity.

Lyrics:

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

May God be with you and bless you:
May you see your children's children.
May you be poor in misfortune,
Rich in blessings.
May you know nothing but happiness
From this day forward.

May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home
And may the hand of a friend always be near.

May green be the grass you walk on,
May blue be the skies above you,
May pure be the joys that surround you,
May true be the hearts that love you.

Home