The Wearing Of The Green, Irish song lyrics and guitar chord
The full sheet music is included. J.K. Casey. There are many versions of 'The Wearing Of The Green' . The one I have put the chords to is the one that's most popular in Ireland. The video is of The Wolfe Tones, the tune itself is similar to another Irish song ''The Rising Of The Moon Sheet Music'' , same air but different words. J.K. Casey was sometimes called ''Leo'' . An Irish rebel song. The ukulele chords are now included. This ballad is popular around the St. Patrick's Day time of year.
THE WEARING OF THE GREEN
Green has become, of course, the traditional colour of Ireland. Americans and others who are careful to wear it on 17 March as a badge of their heritage-real or imagined-are often surprised to learn that the wearing of the green was a capital offense in 1798. That the lyrics of the following ballad are not exaggerated may be verified by the number of men killed in that Irish year of rebellion for the mere act of wearing the Green Cockade. A 24 May dispatch to General Lake from Naas, for instance, reported that "more were brought in... together with three men with green cockades, all of whom were hanged in the public street."
The United Irishmen had adopted the colour from the French Tree of Liberty. By this time a sprig of green in the old battered hat of a cottier demonstrated defiance of the Crown. "Peasant girls had often thrown themselves enthusiastically into the United Irish movement," Lecky reports, "and attested their sentiments by their green ribbons." Outrages on the green-beribboned lasses by the rampaging soldiery had become legion. The bitterness resulting from such conduct can only be imagined.
The eloquent irony of this ballad masks the fact that it was born on the streets; that it survived is mute testimony to an un- known Belfast musician whose stinging lyrics caught the public imagination. "This little song," Frank O'Connor has commented, "written in pseudo-Irish dialect, probably by an Ulster Presbyterian and set to what seems to be an adaptation of a Scottish pibroch is our real national anthem."
The version of that pipe-song given here was rewritten for Dion Boucicault's play Arrab na Pogue. It is the one most often heard today.
Green has become, of course, the traditional colour of Ireland. Americans and others who are careful to wear it on 17 March as a badge of their heritage-real or imagined-are often surprised to learn that the wearing of the green was a capital offense in 1798. That the lyrics of the following ballad are not exaggerated may be verified by the number of men killed in that Irish year of rebellion for the mere act of wearing the Green Cockade. A 24 May dispatch to General Lake from Naas, for instance, reported that "more were brought in... together with three men with green cockades, all of whom were hanged in the public street."
The United Irishmen had adopted the colour from the French Tree of Liberty. By this time a sprig of green in the old battered hat of a cottier demonstrated defiance of the Crown. "Peasant girls had often thrown themselves enthusiastically into the United Irish movement," Lecky reports, "and attested their sentiments by their green ribbons." Outrages on the green-beribboned lasses by the rampaging soldiery had become legion. The bitterness resulting from such conduct can only be imagined.
The eloquent irony of this ballad masks the fact that it was born on the streets; that it survived is mute testimony to an un- known Belfast musician whose stinging lyrics caught the public imagination. "This little song," Frank O'Connor has commented, "written in pseudo-Irish dialect, probably by an Ulster Presbyterian and set to what seems to be an adaptation of a Scottish pibroch is our real national anthem."
The version of that pipe-song given here was rewritten for Dion Boucicault's play Arrab na Pogue. It is the one most often heard today.
O[D] Paddy dear, and[Bm] did you hear the[A] news that's going round?
The[G] Shamrock is for[D]bid, by laws, to[A] grow on Irish[D] ground!
No[D] more St. Patrick's[Bm] day we'll keep his[A] color last be seen;
For, there's a[G] bloody[D] law agin the[A] Wearing[A7] of the[D] Green!
Oh! I met with Napper Tandy, and he took me by the hand,
And he says: How is Poor Ould Ireland, and does she stand?
She's the most distressed Country that ever I have seen:
For, they are hanging men and women for the Wearing of the Green!
And since the color we must wear, is England's cruel red,
Ould Ireland's sons will ne'er forget the blood that they have shed..
Then take the Shamrock from your hat, and cast it on the sod:
It will take root, and flourish still, tho' under foot 'tis trod.
When the law can stop the blades of grass from growing as they grow..
And when the leaves, in Summer time, their verdure does not show..
Then, I will change the color I wear in my cabbeen:
But, till that day, plaze God! I'll stick to the Wearing of the Green!
But if, at last, her colors should be torn from Ireland's heart
Her sons, with shame and sorrow, from the dear old soil will part;
I've heard whispers of a Country that lies far beyond sea,
Where rich and poor stand equal, in the light of Freedom's day!
O Erin! must we leave you driven by the tyrant's hand!
Must we ask a Mother's blessing, in a strange but happy land,
Where the cruel Cross of England's thralldom never to be seen:
But where, thank God! we'll live and die, still Wearing of the Green!
The[G] Shamrock is for[D]bid, by laws, to[A] grow on Irish[D] ground!
No[D] more St. Patrick's[Bm] day we'll keep his[A] color last be seen;
For, there's a[G] bloody[D] law agin the[A] Wearing[A7] of the[D] Green!
Oh! I met with Napper Tandy, and he took me by the hand,
And he says: How is Poor Ould Ireland, and does she stand?
She's the most distressed Country that ever I have seen:
For, they are hanging men and women for the Wearing of the Green!
And since the color we must wear, is England's cruel red,
Ould Ireland's sons will ne'er forget the blood that they have shed..
Then take the Shamrock from your hat, and cast it on the sod:
It will take root, and flourish still, tho' under foot 'tis trod.
When the law can stop the blades of grass from growing as they grow..
And when the leaves, in Summer time, their verdure does not show..
Then, I will change the color I wear in my cabbeen:
But, till that day, plaze God! I'll stick to the Wearing of the Green!
But if, at last, her colors should be torn from Ireland's heart
Her sons, with shame and sorrow, from the dear old soil will part;
I've heard whispers of a Country that lies far beyond sea,
Where rich and poor stand equal, in the light of Freedom's day!
O Erin! must we leave you driven by the tyrant's hand!
Must we ask a Mother's blessing, in a strange but happy land,
Where the cruel Cross of England's thralldom never to be seen:
But where, thank God! we'll live and die, still Wearing of the Green!
Any yet another version
One blessing on my native Isle!
One curse upon her foes
While yet her skies above me smile
Her breeze around me blows
Now, nevermore my cheek be wet
Nor sigh, nor altered mien
Till the dark tyrant I regret
The Wearing Of The Green
Sweet land! my parents loved you well
They sleep within your breast
With theirs, for love no words can tell
My bones must never rest
And lonely must my true love stray
That was our village queen
When I am banished far away
For The Wearing Of The Green
But, Mary, dry that bitter tear
'Twould break my heart to see
And sweetly sleep my parents dear
That cannot weep for me
I'll think not of my distant tomb
Nor seas rolled wide between
But watch the hour, that yet will come
For The Wearing Of The Green
O, I care not for the thistle
And I care not for the rose
For when the cold winds whistle
Neither down nor crimson shows
But like hope to him that's friendless
Where no gaudy flower is seen
By our graves, with love that's endless
Waves our own true-hearted green
O, sure God's world was wild enough
And plentiful for all!
And ruined cabins were so stuff
To build a lordly hall
They might have let the poor man live
Yet all as lordly been
But heaven it's own good time will give
For The Wearing Of The Green
One blessing on my native Isle!
One curse upon her foes
While yet her skies above me smile
Her breeze around me blows
Now, nevermore my cheek be wet
Nor sigh, nor altered mien
Till the dark tyrant I regret
The Wearing Of The Green
Sweet land! my parents loved you well
They sleep within your breast
With theirs, for love no words can tell
My bones must never rest
And lonely must my true love stray
That was our village queen
When I am banished far away
For The Wearing Of The Green
But, Mary, dry that bitter tear
'Twould break my heart to see
And sweetly sleep my parents dear
That cannot weep for me
I'll think not of my distant tomb
Nor seas rolled wide between
But watch the hour, that yet will come
For The Wearing Of The Green
O, I care not for the thistle
And I care not for the rose
For when the cold winds whistle
Neither down nor crimson shows
But like hope to him that's friendless
Where no gaudy flower is seen
By our graves, with love that's endless
Waves our own true-hearted green
O, sure God's world was wild enough
And plentiful for all!
And ruined cabins were so stuff
To build a lordly hall
They might have let the poor man live
Yet all as lordly been
But heaven it's own good time will give
For The Wearing Of The Green
Key of G
O[G] Paddy dear, and[Em] did you hear the[D] news that's going round?
The[C] Shamrock is for[G]bid, by laws, to[D] grow on Irish[G] ground!
No[G] more St. Patrick's[Em] day we'll keep his[D] color last be seen;
For, there's a[C] bloody[G] law agin the[D] Wearing[D7] of the[G] Green!.
Key of C
O[C] Paddy dear, and[Am] did you hear the[G] news that's going round?
The[F] Shamrock is for[C]bid, by laws, to[G] grow on Irish[C] ground!
No[C] more St. Patrick's[Am] day we'll keep his[G] color last be seen;
For, there's a[F] bloody[C] law agin the[G] Wearing[G7] of the[C] Green!
O[G] Paddy dear, and[Em] did you hear the[D] news that's going round?
The[C] Shamrock is for[G]bid, by laws, to[D] grow on Irish[G] ground!
No[G] more St. Patrick's[Em] day we'll keep his[D] color last be seen;
For, there's a[C] bloody[G] law agin the[D] Wearing[D7] of the[G] Green!.
Key of C
O[C] Paddy dear, and[Am] did you hear the[G] news that's going round?
The[F] Shamrock is for[C]bid, by laws, to[G] grow on Irish[C] ground!
No[C] more St. Patrick's[Am] day we'll keep his[G] color last be seen;
For, there's a[F] bloody[C] law agin the[G] Wearing[G7] of the[C] Green!
Here's another version
Farewell! for I must leave thee, my own, my native shore,
And doomed in foreign lands to dwell, may never see thee more:
For laws, our tyrant laws, have said that seas must roll between
Old Erin and her faithful sons, that loved to wear the green.
Oh! we love to wear the green, Oh! how we love the green,
On native land we cannot stand for wearing of the green,
Yet wheresoe'er the exile lives, tho' oceans roll between,
Thy faithful sons will fondly sing "The wearing of the green."
My father loved his country, and sleeps within her breast,
While I that would have died for her, may never be so blest;
Those tears my mother shed for me, how bitter they'd have been
If I had proved a traitor to "The wearing of the green."
There were some that wore the green, who did betray the green,
On native land we cannot stand thro' traitor to the green,
Yet whatsoe'er our fate may be, when oceans roll between,
Her faithful sons will ever sing "The wearing of the green."
Remember Father Murphy and Emmett [ Song Lyrics ]that was brave,
Not forgetting Dan O'Connell, that now lies in his grave,
If those heroes were alive, boys, their country they'd redeem,
And shortly have the union back once more in College Green
Farewell! for I must leave thee, my own, my native shore,
And doomed in foreign lands to dwell, may never see thee more:
For laws, our tyrant laws, have said that seas must roll between
Old Erin and her faithful sons, that loved to wear the green.
Oh! we love to wear the green, Oh! how we love the green,
On native land we cannot stand for wearing of the green,
Yet wheresoe'er the exile lives, tho' oceans roll between,
Thy faithful sons will fondly sing "The wearing of the green."
My father loved his country, and sleeps within her breast,
While I that would have died for her, may never be so blest;
Those tears my mother shed for me, how bitter they'd have been
If I had proved a traitor to "The wearing of the green."
There were some that wore the green, who did betray the green,
On native land we cannot stand thro' traitor to the green,
Yet whatsoe'er our fate may be, when oceans roll between,
Her faithful sons will ever sing "The wearing of the green."
Remember Father Murphy and Emmett [ Song Lyrics ]that was brave,
Not forgetting Dan O'Connell, that now lies in his grave,
If those heroes were alive, boys, their country they'd redeem,
And shortly have the union back once more in College Green
Home Rule For Ireland - This song uses the same air as the Wearing Of The Green.
It was first published in America in 1914 and written by Ernie Erdman.
Oh Paddy dear and did you hear the news that's going 'round
There's a smile upon the face of every Irishman in town
For they just received a message from that little Emerald Isle
Old Ireland has home rule at last, sure that's what makes them smile.
Chorus
Home rule for Ireland Home rule for me
By Killarney's lakes and dells there'll be a jubilee
We love you Johnny Redmond for your Irish heart so true
For bringing home rule to us old Ireland loves you too.
Irishmen will never quit until the battle's won
And any thing they start to do they never leave undone
Tho' it's been a long and bitter fight for many many years
They couldn't keep the Irish down they fought thru all their tears
It was first published in America in 1914 and written by Ernie Erdman.
Oh Paddy dear and did you hear the news that's going 'round
There's a smile upon the face of every Irishman in town
For they just received a message from that little Emerald Isle
Old Ireland has home rule at last, sure that's what makes them smile.
Chorus
Home rule for Ireland Home rule for me
By Killarney's lakes and dells there'll be a jubilee
We love you Johnny Redmond for your Irish heart so true
For bringing home rule to us old Ireland loves you too.
Irishmen will never quit until the battle's won
And any thing they start to do they never leave undone
Tho' it's been a long and bitter fight for many many years
They couldn't keep the Irish down they fought thru all their tears
A History of Irish Ballads
Irish ballads are an essential part of the country’s musical and cultural heritage, passed down through generations to preserve the stories, struggles, and triumphs of the Irish people. Their themes often reflect historical events, love, rebellion, emigration, and folklore. Here’s an overview of the history of Irish ballads:
1. Origins of Irish Ballads
2. Ballads of Rebellion and Resistance Irish ballads played a significant role in chronicling Ireland’s struggles for independence from English rule:
3. Love and Nostalgia Ballads
4. 19th and Early 20th Century Nationalism
5. Folk Revival of the 20th Century
6. Modern Irish Ballads
Themes in Irish Ballads
Cultural Significance Irish ballads have been vital in preserving the country’s collective memory and identity. They reflect resilience, storytelling, and the enduring spirit of the Irish people.
Would you like to explore more ballads, historical events tied to the songs, or notable artists?
Irish ballads are an essential part of the country’s musical and cultural heritage, passed down through generations to preserve the stories, struggles, and triumphs of the Irish people. Their themes often reflect historical events, love, rebellion, emigration, and folklore. Here’s an overview of the history of Irish ballads:
1. Origins of Irish Ballads
- Medieval Influence: Early ballads were heavily influenced by bardic poetry and storytelling traditions. Bards served as the cultural historians of Celtic Ireland, crafting songs that praised warriors, rulers, and mythical heroes.
- Oral Tradition: The earliest ballads were passed down orally, often evolving with each retelling. Many of these early ballads have unknown authorship.
2. Ballads of Rebellion and Resistance Irish ballads played a significant role in chronicling Ireland’s struggles for independence from English rule:
- 16th and 17th Centuries: Songs like “Follow Me Up to Carlow” recall battles fought against English forces, particularly during the Nine Years’ War.
- The 1798 Rebellion: Ballads such as “The Rising of the Moon” and “Boolavogue” memorialize the failed Irish Rebellion of 1798 led by the United Irishmen.
- The Famine and Emigration: Ballads like “Skibbereen” lament the Great Famine (1845–1852) and the subsequent emigration of millions to America, Australia, and other countries.
3. Love and Nostalgia Ballads
- Love ballads such as “She Moved Through the Fair” and “Molly Malone” capture themes of longing and heartache.
- Many of these ballads were melancholic and reflective of Ireland’s struggles with poverty and separation.
4. 19th and Early 20th Century Nationalism
- With rising nationalist movements, ballads like “A Nation Once Again” and “The Foggy Dew” became anthems for independence and unity.
- During the Irish War of Independence (1919–1921), ballads were used to inspire and rally support for freedom.
5. Folk Revival of the 20th Century
- In the mid-20th century, the Irish folk revival helped revitalize traditional ballads. Groups like The Clancy Brothers, The Dubliners, and Planxty brought ballads to new audiences in Ireland and beyond.
- These artists blended traditional ballads with modern instrumentation, creating a resurgence of interest in Irish heritage.
6. Modern Irish Ballads
- In recent decades, musicians like Christy Moore, The Wolfe Tones, and Damien Dempsey have continued to craft ballads that address contemporary social and political issues while preserving traditional sounds.
Themes in Irish Ballads
- History & War: Chronicling battles and uprisings (e.g., “The Minstrel Boy”).
- Emigration: Lamenting forced separation (e.g., “The Fields of Athenry”).
- Love & Tragedy: Tales of star-crossed lovers and heartbreak (e.g., “The Sally Gardens”).
- Folklore: Songs inspired by mythical creatures and legends (e.g., “The Parting Glass”).
Cultural Significance Irish ballads have been vital in preserving the country’s collective memory and identity. They reflect resilience, storytelling, and the enduring spirit of the Irish people.
Would you like to explore more ballads, historical events tied to the songs, or notable artists?
