“The Wearing of the Green” is a traditional Irish folksong that dates back to the Irish Rebellion of 1798, when the Irish rose up against the British. The revolutionary Society of United Irishmen adopted green as its colour, and supporters wore green-coloured garments, ribbons, or cockades. 

In the late 18th century, British authorities viewed the wearing of green clothing or shamrocks by native Irish people as a rebellious act. This defiance was so serious that it could even result in a death sentence

 It is to an old Irish air, and many versions of the lyric exist, the best-known being by Dion Boucicault, an Irish actor and playwright famed for his melodramas.

The tune of “The Wearing of the Green” was first published in The Citizen, or Dublin Monthly Magazine, vol. III, January–June 1841. 

The Orthodox Celts is a Serbian band formed in Belgrade in 1992 which plays Irish folk music combined with rock elements. I like their version of the old song, they give it some passion and make the fire in the belly of any true Irish patriot rise up….. I had the good fortune to meet the boys in the Orthodox Celts, a great bunch of lads….. read it here 

“The Wearing of the Green” Lyrics:

Music from the Orthodox Celts

Oh. Paddy dear and did you hear the news that’s goin’ round?

The shamrock is by law forbid to grow on Irish ground.

St. Patrick’s Day no more will keep his colour can’t be seen

For they hangin’ men and women for the wearing of the green.

I met with Napper tandy and he took me by the hand.

He said : “How’s dear old Ireland and how does she stand?”

She’s the most distressful country that you have ever seen

For they’re hanging men and women for the wearing of the green.

For the wearing of the green, for the wearing of the green

They’re hanging men and women for the wearing of the green.

And if the colour we must wear is england’s cruel red,

Shure Ireland sons will ne’er forget the blood that they have shed.

You may take the shamrock from your hat and cast it down the sod,

‘Twill take all root and flourish there, tho’ under foot ’tis trod.

My father loved his country and sweeped from in ‘is breast,

But I had one they died for her must never soul be blessed.

Most tears me mother shad for me, how’d bitter they had been,

But I had proved the traitor for the wearing of the green.

And if at last our coloured shirt be thorn from Ireland’s heart,

Her sons would shame and sorrow for the dear old my wound heart.

I hear the whisper of the land that lies me on the sea,

Where rich and poor stand equal in the light of freedom’s day.

Oh, Ireland, must believe you driven high from tyrant’s hand,

And see come mother’s blessing from the strange and distant land,

Where the cruel cross of England shall never more be seen,

And in that land we live and die still wearing Ireland’s green.

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The post “The Wearing of the Green” song, with lyrics appeared first on This Drinking Life.

Top song from an excellent Celtic punk band

The Rumjacks are a Celtic punk band originally formed in Sydney, Australia in 2008. Known for their loud and energetic live shows, the band has released five studio albums, two live albums, and a series of EPs and singles. 

One of the band’s best-known songs, “An Irish Pub Song”, became a viral hit and has earned just under 90 million views on YouTube.

Scroll down past video – The Rumjacks – An Irish Pub Song – for the lyrics

There’s a county map to go on the wall,
A hurling stick & a shinty ball,
The bric, the brac, the craic & all,
Lets call it an Irish pub,
Caffreys, Harp, Kilkenny on tap,
The Guinness pie & that cabbage crap,
The ideal wannabee Paddy trap,
We’ll call it an Irish pub,

Whale, oil, beef, hooked! I swear upon the holy book,
The only ‘craic’ you’ll get is a slap in the ear,
Whale, oil, beef, hooked! I’ll up & burst yer filthy mug,
If you draw one more shamrock in me beer!

We’ll raise the price o’ beer a dollar,
We’ll make em wear a shirt & collar,
We’ll fly a bloody tri-colour,
And call it an Irish pub,
Jager bombs & double shots,
The underagers think its tops,
We’ll spike the drinks & pay the cops,
We got us an Irish pub.

The quick one in the filthy bog,
The partin’ glass across the lug,
O’ the lady-O, the dirty dog,
We got us an Irish pub,
It’s over to me and over to you,
We’ll skip along the Avenue,
And who t’hell is Ronnie Drew?
We got us an Irish pub.

Plasma screens & neon lights,
Kara-farkin-oke nights,
The bouncers they can pick the fights,
We’ll call it an Irish pub,
Plastic cups, a polished floor,
We’ll hose the blood right out the door,
And let the knucklers back for more,
We got us an Irish pub,

Oh top o’ the mornin’, Garryowen,
Kiss me I’m Irish, Molly Malone,
Failte, Slainte, Pog ma thon,
We got us an Irish pub,
Spike the punch & strip the willow,
Strike me up the rakes o’ Mallow,
The Liffey never ran so shallow,
We got us an Irish pub.

Just buy their album. NOW!

website: The Rumjacks

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The post The Rumjacks. An Irish Pub Song with lyrics appeared first on This Drinking Life.