"The Wearin' O' The Green" by Anonymous
John McCormack singing The Wearin' O' The Green
What is really spectacular about this poem is how it originated, spread, and lasted. This poem was brought about during the Irish Rebellion of 1798. The author is therefore anonymous because of it's rebellious nature. It is often expressed in the form of the song. It was spread by voice and contained such pride and spirit of Ireland that it is still sung today. This is a good poem to memorize because on St. Patricks day in an Irish pub it may get a free drink and a lot of respect from your friendly Irish folk.
Oh, Paddy dear! and did ye hear the news that's goin' round?
The shamrock is forbade by law to grow on Irish ground!
No more St. Patrick's day we'll keep; his color can't be seen,
For there's a cruel law ag'n the Wearin' o' the Green!
I met with Napper Tandy, and he took me by the hand,
And he said, "How's poor ould 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."
An' if the color we must wear is England's cruel red,
Let it remind us of the blood Ireland has shed;
Then pull the shamrock from your hat, and throw it on the sod,
An' never fear, 'twill take root there, through under foot 'tis trod.
When law can stop the blades of grass from growin' as they grow,
An' when the leaves in summer time their color dare not show,
Then I will change the color, too, I wear in my caubeen;
But till that day, plaise God, I'll stick to the Wearin' o' the Green.
*Side note- a caubeen is a hat
