The Wearing Of The Green lyrics

O Paddy dear,
and did ye hear the
news that's
goin' round?

The shamrock is
by law forbid to
grow on Irish ground

Saint Patrick's Day
no more we'll keep
his colour
won't be seen

For there's a
cruel law ag'in the
wearin' o' the green

I met with Napper Tandy
and he took
me by the hand

And he said
"How's poor
old Ireland
and how does
she stand?"

She's the most
distressful country
that ever yet
was seen

They're hanging men
and women there
for the
wearin' o' the green"

But if at last
our colour should be
torn from
Ireland's heart

Her sons with shame
and sorrow from the
dear old isle
will part

I've heard the whisper
of the land that
lies beyond the sea

Where rich and poor
stand equal in
the light of
freedom's hay

Oh Erin must we
leave you driven
by a tyrant's hand

Must we seek a
mother's blessing
from a strange
and distant land

Where the cruel
cross of England
shall never more
be seen

And where please God
we'll live and die
still wearin' of
the green

She's the most
distressful country
that ever yet
was seen

They're hanging men
and women there
for the
wearin' o' the green