Wearin' of the Green

Oh Paddy dear, and did you hear the news thats goin round?
The Shamrock is forbid by law to grow on Irish ground;
Saint Patricks day no more well keep, his color cant be seen,
For theres a bloody law against the wearin of the green.
I met with Napper Tandy and he took me by the hand.
And he said hows poor ould Ireland,
And how does she stand? Shes the most distressful country,
That ever you have seen;
Theyre hanging men and women there for wearin of the green.

Then since the color we must wear is Englands cruel red,
Sure Irelands sons will neer forget the blood that they have shed;
You may take the Shamrock from your hat and cast it on the sod,
But twill take root and flourish still, though under foot tis trod.
When the law can stop the blades of grass from growin as they grow,
And when the leaves in summertime their verdure dare not show,
Then I will change the color I wear in my canteen;
But till that day, please God, Ill stick to wearin of the green.

But if at last our color should be torn from Irelands heart,
Her sons with shame and sorrow from the dear ould soil will part;
Ive heard whisper of a country that lives far beyond the sea
Where rich and poor stand equal in the light of freedoms day,
Oh! Erin must we leave you? Driven by the tyrants hand,
Where the cruel cross of Englands thralldom neer shall be seen;
Must we ask a mothers welcome from a strange but happier land,
And where, thank God, well live and die, still wearin of the green?

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Irish Folk Music
• Saint Patrick's Day Music
• Irish Oppressio