The wearin' of the green.

O I woke me up this morning and I heard a joyful song

From the throats of happy Irishmen a hundred thousand strong.

Sure it was the Hibernian Brigade,

Lining up for to start the big parade!

So If etched me Sunday bonnet and the flag I love so well,

And I bought meself a shamrock just to wear in my lapel.

Don't you know that today's March seventeenth?

It's the day for the wearing of the green!

 

So why am I wearing orange?

Because I for one am not Catholic!  I was going to wear all green today just because it is tradition.  But when I opened my drawer to get out my green polo shirt, my orange and white shirts were just sitting there on top begging to be worn.  So I obliged.  

I am Irish, and proud of it.  But I happen to be an Orangeman not Green, so St. Patrick's Day doesn't mean quite as much to me as it would if I were Catholic.  But it is still a fun day to celebrate being Irish (which, by the way, I am by blood, not just on March 17)!  And a really good excuse to make Irish Soda Bread - which is the BEST!!  (Thanks Mommy)

 I got these ribbons on sale at Michael's.  Green, Orange and white with shamrocks. 

Do you all know what the Irish flag symbolizes?  

A lot of fighting - that's what!  The Green is for St. Patrick and the Catholics.  The Orange is for William of Orange and the Protestants, and the white - is for a truce between them!  Really.

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

My father he was Orange and my mother she was green.

Oh my father was an Ulsterman, 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.

...

One day me ma's relations came round to visit me

Just as me father's kinfolk were all sitting down to tea.

We tried to smooth things over, but they all began to fight

And me be strictly neutral I bashed everyone in sight!

I think you might  have to be Irish to understand how truly neutral that stance really is. ;P

I'm wearing: white cadet cap ($0.12 at Walmart), hair ribbons from Michaels, Orange Birch Bay Ranch Staff shirt (bought with sweat and tears, not money :), green skirt (made by me), black Taxi shoes ($2 thifted)

I've never been to Ireland, though I know it's beautiful and I would REALLY like to go someday.  Unfortunately that costs money which is something I don't have a lot of.  But I hear that Ireland is so wonderful that even the wind sings in tune!

In His Grace,

Laurel O'Valillee*

*My Grandmother's maiden name, unfortunately my Irish-ness didn't make it into my last name.