An ancient prayer at Candlemas

A medieval Anglo-Saxon plowing prayer, said when the first furrow was laid on Candlemas day.

Whole be thou Earth

Mother of men.

In the lap of God,

Be thous as-growing.

Be filled with fodder

For fare-need of men.

The farmer then took a loaf of bread, kneaded it with milk and holy water and laid it under the first furrow, saying:

Acre full fed,

Bring forth fodder for men!

Blossoming brightly, Blessed become;

And the God who wrought the ground,

Grant us the gifts of growing,

That the corn, all the corn,

may come unto our need.