Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Orange and Green

she can clearly remember
One summer at eight
When words such as poverty,
Justice and hate
Were no part of any expression
She could understand

In the schoolyard with Tim
Playing 'Blind Leading Blind'
The Teacher said "Eilie,
He's not of your kind,
Come in from the cold
By the fire, girl
You don't understand"

And all that she was
Was this beautiful girl
With curls in her hair
Not a care in the world
And orange and green
Were just colours
And poor poor was a word

When Eileen wed him
There was no family 'round
They moved to a new home
New county, new town
They've settled five years
They've been raising a babe of their own
They named the girl mary
She's many great friends
With no thought of prejudice
Pride or pretense
And when she weds a man
He'll be welcome in their humble home

And all that she is
Is this beautiful girl
With curls in her hair
Not a care in the world
And orange and green are just colours
And war is a word

Mom called, said
"They're closing the fish factory down,
McMullin's been drinking, O'Brien's left town,
The shipyard is closed, now
There's no call for ships made of wood.
The men, they're all saying
"There's naught we can do,
Be you orange or green,
Be it me, be it you"
And she wished to be back
In the days
When the living was good

When all that she was
Was this beautiful girl
With curls in here hair
Not a care in the world
And orange and green were just colours
And war was a word