John McCormack The Wearing of the Green

"The Wearing of the Green" is an anonymously-penned Irish street ballad dating to 1798. The context of the song is the repression around the time of the Irish Rebellion of 1798. Wearing a shamrock in the "caubeen" (hat) was a sign of rebellion and green was the colour of the Society of the United Irishmen, a republican revolutionary organisation. During the period, displaying revolutionary insignia was made punishable by hanging.

Lyrics:
O Paddy dear, an' did ye hear the news that's goin' round?
The shamrock is by law forbid to grow on Irish ground;
St. Patrick's Day no more we'll keep, his colour can't be seen,
For there's a bloody law against the wearin' o' the Green.


O I met with Napper Tandy, and he took me by the hand
And he asked 'How's poor old Ireland, and how does she stand?'
She's the most distressful country this world has yet to see
For they're hangin' men and women there for wearin' o' the green


And if the colour we must wear is England's cruel red,
Will serve to remind us of all the blood that she has shed,
So take the shamrock from your hat and cast it in the sod,
But never fear, 'twill take root there, though under foot 'tis trod




When law can stop the blades of grass from growin' as they grow,
And when the leaves in summer time, their colours dare not show,
Then I too will change the colour I wear in my caubeen,
But 'till that day, praise God, I'll stick to wearin' o' the green.

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[mayfieldmac]

It is said that John McCormack met up Enrico Caruso at the Waldorf-Astoria in the early 20th century, and seeing Caruso eating breakfast McCormack greeted him with, "And Mr. Caruso, how does the world's finest tenor feel this morning?" And supposedly Caruso replied, "I haven't the faintest idea, my name is not John McCormack." If this isn't a true story, it damn well ought to be. Enjoy!

[illastic1]

what a voice! tiocfaidh ar la!

[wimthetim1]

Wonderful voice. We were brought up to be Scottish but never allowed to forget our Irish heritage and John McCormack played a big part in that. The Wearing o' the Green and A Nation Once Again were essential singing.

[thesolaniki]

Flogging Molly should do a version of this song

[magiclard]

Count John McCormack to give him his full title 

[Cheeseatingjunglista]

Classic Irish sentimental tosh - the name Sotland comes from an Irish invasion by the Scoti - I have Great Grandads from both sides _ stuff the lot o em

[bud21s]

@mayfieldmac I hope this is a true story . I would like to think that these two giants had also the humility bestowed on the TRULY great !

[mollymaemorrissey]

Oh ya nonamebob...Erin Go Braugh !!!!

[mollymaemorrissey]

Oh ya nonamebob...Erin Go Braugh

[jimbofogarty]

@nonamebob57 What do ya mean our language thrives, in case you have not noticed theres hardly a soul who speaks it.

[barkerjames1980]

@Abhilynn Well, that is your opinion, and you read mine. What part of Ireland did you come here from?