THE IRISH BALLOONIST BLESSING BY DICK BROWN FOR THE AIBF HERITAGE COMMITTEE he original author is an bothar leat” hich literall transƒ unknon the tet has lates as ‡o ›ma œ nƒéirí ›riseœ an bóthar multile ariations an ›the roaœ leat ›ith ouœ in other surrisingl accoring ors “€a ou be successful on our to om €c‚ormick Žourne ” or “‰ae a safe Žourne ”„ he TIrish Ballooning Assoƒ French oul siml sa “Bon Ÿo age”„ ciation ast resient “hile the author of this articular blessƒ the Irish Balloonist Blessing has not ing is also unknon man attribute it to been in common use in Irelan since …t„ Patrick as it is similar to his ritings„ the late sities hen moern hot air ballooning got its start„ As to fi nƒ May the road rise up to meet you. ing its source om cautions there are May the wind be always at your bac. man similar Irish blessings„ May the sun shine warm upon your face …ome call it a blessing some a the rains fall soft upon your fi elds and ra er„ †r„ om €c‚onnell ast resiƒ until we meet again may God hold you ent of the Albuquerque International in the palm of is hand. Balloon Fiesta turns to the ictionar „ A blessing is to inoke iine faor to Again in an sun are inclue in consecrate something b rite action this ra er but rain too erhas in refƒ or or an to eress gratitue„ A erence to the ¡meral Isle’s lush green ra er seeks ‡o’s faor an rotecƒ lanscae„ he ancient Irish ere sai tion a solemn request for hel but is to hae a ee areciation for nature„ also an eression of thanks„ ‰aing the in at our back ma ‰ere is the common tet for a blessƒ iml lack of an harshis or seere ing recite at ostƒfl ight ceremonies his oular ersion contains the challenges„ …ailors ala s ish for an sometimes at secial celebrations natural elements of ballooning – in “Fair “ins an Folloing …eas” – a honoring aeronauts ho hae asse an sun – but also the human emotions nautical blessing origin also unknon on‹ of loe an Žo „ an another a of sa ing “‰ae a In ‘ul 201’ ‘ames “ilson riting for safe Žourne ”„ It has long been use The winds have welcomed you with Irish‚entral a igital meia coman b seafarers hoing for the safest an softness. The sun has blessed you with catering to Irish Americans suggeste smoothest a ahea in other ors its warm hands. You have fl own so high one ossible source of this blessing is a ieal in sees ›as in ballooningœ and so well that God has joined you in faorite traitional Irish blessing often ith trael in the same irection as the laughter And set you gently down into use as a ra er “€a the •oa •ise – ocean currents„ Imagine a essel being the loving arms of Mother Earth. to €eet —ou”„ In ‡aelic it is “‡o nƒéirí Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2019 Offi cial Program 70
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