How come Saint Patrick's Day only gets one day? How come there's not a whole season dedicated to this fun holiday? Come on, who dislikes green? Heck, Bush and Ford are all over "green" these days. And Saint Patrick was a nice guy (that's the whole "Saint" part in his title) -- although I'm sure, hated by anyone anti-religion.
So, I think we should celebrate the entire first half of the month of March, instead of just one day. So I shall -- with much singing!
Today, I'll give you the words to a really neat Irish tune. It's short, but very powerful. It was written in the early 1800s Thomas Moore. It's called "The Minstrel Boy." I love this song, have a neat rendition on CD, and sing along at the top of my voice:
The Minstrel Boy to the war is gone
In the ranks of death you will find him;
His father's sword he hath girded on,
And his wild harp slung behind him;"
Land of Song!" said the warrior bard,
"Tho' all the world betrays thee,
One sword, at least, thy rights shall guard,
One faithful harp shall praise thee!"The Minstrel fell! But the foeman's chain
Could not bring that proud soul under;
The harp he lov'd ne'er spoke again,
For he tore its chords asunder;
And said "No chains shall sully thee,
Thou soul of love and brav'ry!
Thy songs were made for the pure and free,
They shall never sound in slavery!"
Interestingly enough, when looking for the lyrics online so I didn't have to type them, I found The Minstrel Boy blog! Weird, huh?
And if I could sing a little better, I'd sing this at the Renaissance Festival this year...
That reminds me of Sgt. MacKenzie by Joseph Kilna McKenzie. It was in the movie "We Were Soldiers." It is not Irish but Scottish which is even better!
Damn Scotts! ;)
I'd celebrate St. Patty's day all month. I try to every weekend as it is! I'll over look your comment about the Scots, since being a Scot I naturally forgive the Irish.
I guess I can forgive and forget for one day.
And you wonder why Scots don't have their own day... ;)
Since I am Scottish and Irish does this mean I have to hate myself?
Well, you're certainly allowed to curse yourself a lot.
They do you manky irish bastard, it's called Tartan day.. and every other day of the year. If it weren't for the Scots the modern world wouldn't be!
Every other day of the year? Oh, did they tell you that children's day was every day of the year, too? ;)
Bah! We have two days, dammit! Tartan day and Jackobite Day!
Who cares if I'm the only person who celebrates Jackobite day....
Damn Scots. See, people? They have to make up holidays do drink. We Irish, we drink on real holidays.
Dude, I like green beer, but I think St. Patty's needs to last all month. (And I'm Welsh!)
I figure I'll try and expand it to half a month first, then we can work on a whole month... :)
I've just been staying at home waiting for something to happen. Whatever. Not much on my mind lately. I guess it doesn't bother me.