ST COLUMBAN
St. Columban (ca. 543-615) was the founder of the monastery of Bobbio in northern Italy. His "Boat Song" captures the mood of adventure and robust faith that animated the early Irish monks. I offer this text in response to someone’s claim in a recent letter that spirituality, like quiche, is not for real men but only for the meek and mild!
Hewn from the forest, swept down the two-horned Rhine,
Our keel, tight-caulked, now floats upon the sea.
Heia, men! Let the echoes resound with our heia!
The wild gusts swell, the slashing torrents fall,
But manly strength has force to tame the storm.
Heia! Let the echoes resound with our heia!
To earnest effort, clouds and tempest yield;
Zeal and unceasing labour conquer all.
Heia, men! Let the echoes resound with our heia!
Endure and save yourselves for better things;
O you who have suffered worse, this too shall end.
Heia, men! Let the echoes resound with our heia!
So when the loathsome foe assaults our hearts,
Tempting and shaking our hearts with passion,
Let your souls, remembering Christ, cry heia!
In resolution fixed, scorn Satan's wiles.
By virtues armed, defend yourselves with valour.
Let your souls, remembering Christ, cry heia!
Firm faith and ardour conquer all.
The ancient fiend, defeated, breaks his arrows.
Let your souls, remembering Christ, cry heia…!
Let your souls, men, remembering Christ, cry heia! 