Oh, Paddy dear, and did you hear
The news that's going round?
The shamrock is forbid by law
To grow on Irish ground!
St. Patrick's Day no more we'll keep,
His color can't be seen,
For there's a bloody law against
The wearing of the green.
I met with Napper Tandy
And he took me by the hand,
And said he, "How's poor old Ireland
And how does she stand?"
"She's the most distressful country
That I have ever seen;
They're hanging men and women
For wearing of the green."
When the law can stop the blades of green
From growing as they grow,
And when the leaves in summertime
Their verdue dare not show,
Then I will change the color
that I wear in my caubeen;
But till that day, please God, I'll stick
To wearing of the green
