The Kelly Family The Wearing of the Green song lyrics

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 took me by the hand

And 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."

"So if the color we must wear be England's cruel red

Let it remined us of the blood that Irish men have shed;

And pull the shamrock from your hat, and throw it on the 'tis trod.

When laws can stop the blades of grass

from growin' as they grow

And when the leaves in summertime their color dare not show,

Then I will change the color too I wear in my caubeen;

But till that day, please God, I'll sick to the Wearin' o' the Green.