Thursday, March 17, 2011




I love this photo of a St. Patrick's parade in Dublin, Ireland. It is kind of Macabre and so are the ancient legends fairy tales and songs.


I found this one song which comes from The Brodbdingnagian Fairy Tales. But I have heard of the Green and Orange fights before, it is humorous.


Oh, it is the biggest mix-up that you have ever seen.

My father, he was Orange and me mother, she was Green.

My father was an Ulster man, proud Protestant was he.
My mother was a Catholic girl, from county Cork was she.
They were married in two churches, lived happily enough,
Until the day that I was born and things got rather tough.

Baptized by Father Riley, I was rushed away by car, To be made a little Orange man, my father's shining star.
I was christened "David Anthony," but still, in spite of that,
To me father, I was William, while my mother called me Pat.


With Mother every Sunday, to Mass I'd proudly stroll.
Then after that, the Orange lodge would try to save my soul.
For both sides tried to claim me, but I was smart because
I'd play the flute or play the harp,depending where I was.

Now when I'd sing those rebel songs,
much of me mother's joy,
Me father would jump up and say, "Look here would you me boy.
That's quite enough of that lot", he'd then toss me a coin
And he'd have me sing the Orange Flute or the Heroes of the Boyne
One day me Ma's relations came round to visit me.
Just as my father's kinfolk were all sitting down to tea.
We tried to smooth things over, but they all began to fight.
And me, being strictly neutral, I bashed everyone in sight.


My parents never could agree about my type of school.
My learning was all done at home, that's why I'm such a fool.
They've both passed on, God rest 'em. but left me caught between
That awful color problem of the Orange and the Green.


Background: Andrew This song is one of the few that actually poles fun of the religious differnces of Ireland. He remembers growing up and his dad told him that the Scottish wear orange on St. Patrick's Day. I didn't realize why until a couple years ago. One of the reasons for the division of Ireland into North and South Ireland is because the North is predominately Protestant (Orange) and the South is predominately Catholic (Green).









7 comments:

salemslot9 said...

you and me
should've been in
that photo
drinking green beer
lol

krissy knox said...

Hi Carol!

Krissy here! I am and Irish Catholic (green). I used to be protestant as I was very confused, LOL. I studied the Bible, church history, and history and believe that the Catholic Church is the church Jesus established. So I became Catholic. :)

While the song is quite humerous, it really is painful also for many who are really in the situation, as England did come into Ireland and force some Irish to become protestant and persecuted them in many ways when they didn't. Of course both English and Irish people have fought one another ever since...

John is Scottish. He used to be Protestant. When he was a child he went to Salvation Army then later Methodist. On St Patrick's Day, when he wanted to wear green, like the other children, his grandmother said, "Catholics wear green, Protestants wear orange. So if you're going to wear a color for St Patrick's Day wear orange!" She was very adament about it. Since then, John has become Catholic. Imagine, LOL, a man named John Knox, named by his parents after "the great protestant reformer" (the presbyterian reformer John Knox), becoming Catholic! People often stop and ask him about it.

Of course all Christians, Catholic and Protestant are brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, so we better learn to get along! I know you meant this as a fun entry, and it was! Sorry if I analyzed so much. Just throwing in a little information. Love you girl!

krissy knox :)
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Forty Pound Sack said...

Interesting ditty ~

ADB said...

RIP Carol, you'll be missed. I'm pleased you're now beyond pain and suffering.

ADB said...

Two years have gone by since you left us Carol, but years no longer matter where you have gone. The suffering is over and forgotten, and we'll come to join you when the time is there. Missing you in the meantime.

ADB said...

Four years have passed since your suffering came to an end. We shall never forget you.

Guido x

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