The Orange and the Green
Words and Music by: Irish Traditional
Oh me father was an Ulsterman, a Protestant was he
My mother was a Catholic girl, from county Cork came she
They were married in two churches, lived happily enough
Until the day that I was born then things got rather rough
Chorus:
Oh, it was the greatest mix-up that you have ever seen
My father he was Orange and my mother she was Green
Baptized by father Reilly, then rushed away by car
To become a little Orangeman, my father's shining star
I was christened David Anthony but yet in spite of that
To my father I was William, to my mother I was Pat
Chorus
Now, to church then every Sunday with Mother I'd proudly stroll
And later on the Orange lads would try to save my soul
Both sides they tried to claim me but I was smart because
I'd play me flute or play me harp depending where I was
Chorus
Sometimes I'd sing those rebel songs much to my mother's joy
My father would jump up and say Now look here Bill me boy
That's enough of that stuff, he enters me a coin
To sing about the Orange Flute and the heroes of the Boyne
Chorus
Well, one day my mum's relations, they came to visit me
Too bad my father's kinfolk were just sittin' down to tea
I tried to calm things over as they began to fight
But bein' strictly neutral I punched everyone in sight
Chorus
Well, my parents never could agree about my kind of school
My learnin' was all done at home no wonder I'm a fool
Now they've both passed on God bless them but I am torn between
That awful color problem of the Orange and the Green
to Bard Book.
to Dagonell's Page.
to David's Homepage.