St. Patricks Day

O Paddy dear, and did ye hear the news that's goin' round?
The shamrock is by law forbid to grow on Irish ground!
No more Saint Patrick's Day we'll keep, his color can't be seen
For there's a cruel law ag'in the Wearin' o' the Green."

I met with Napper Tandy, and he tuk me by the hand
And he said, "How's poor old Ireland, and how does she stand?"
"She's the most distressful country that ever yet was seen
For they're hanging men and women there for the Wearin' o' the Green."

"So if the colour we must wear be England's cruel red
Let it remind us of the blood that Irishmen have shed
And pull the shamrock from your hat, and throw it on the sod
But never fear, 'twill take root there, though underfoot 'tis trod.

When laws can stop the blades of grass from growin' as they grow
And when the leaves in summer-time their colour dare not show
Then I will change the colour too I wear in my caubeen
But till that day, please God, I'll stick to the Wearin' o' the Green. ~ Traditional Irish Folk Song


The above Irish song is perhaps the best known of all Irish songs. It is usually played with an upbeat tempo as if it were a celebratory song, however, as you can see by the lyrics, it is a mournful expression of grief over the loss of freedom. I've always believed it should be played much more solemn in reverent memory of all the innocents who lost their lives under the cruel thumb of the British.

I could only find horrible, out of tune renditions of it on youtube, so I could only post the lyrics.

Here are some Irish songs that I enjoy all through the year. I was hoping to find some others of my favorites, but couldn't find them on Youtube. I only wish I had the equipment and know-how to create videos of my own. I would post a great medley of "MacNamara's Band" that I have on CD, as well as several other Irish folk songs that I believe are more representative of Irish music. Oh well, enjoy these songs by authentic Irish musicians:

Celtic Woman:


The Irish Tenors (I actually prefer their rendition of Danny Boy to Celtic Woman's but, alas, it is not on Youtube):



Happy St. Patricks Day!