The Wearing of the Green: Historical Context
“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.
At that time of the late 18th Century, the wearing of green clothing or shamrocks by native Irish people was considered by the British authorities as a rebellious act in and of itself, and potentially even punishable by death.
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.
