Friday, March 17, 2017 – Top of the Morning to You Lads and Lassies. Bravery and Freedom

Friday, March 17, 2017 – Top of the Morning to You Lads and Lassies. Bravery and Freedom.

It is St. Paddy’s Day when everyone is Irish. It is 10:00 am so this will be brief as I must get to the pub early before all the seats near the bar, the bathroom and the piano are taken and before the amateurs arrive.

It is also Friday so that means a meatless Friday. The pub is offering a full seven course Irish meal – a potato and a six pack of Guinness.

So get your pike upon your shoulder and get ready to sing.

Of course my favorite Irish songs are the rebellion songs. If you are truly Irish, you know the words and shock the entire bar at Dirty Nellie’s in San Antonio when you, the piano player and the two Irish tourists know these songs and continue to sing along. An upfront apology to my friends of British ancestry, but after all if you had not treated us Irish so mean over the centuries, we might not have had to sing these songs in the first place.

The Minstrel Boy to the war is gone; and the ranks of death you will find him

His father’s sword he has girded on and his wild harp slug behind him

Land of song says the warrior bard; the world, the world betrays thee;

One sword at least I right shall guard; one faithful heart shall praise thee.

And said NO chains shall sully thee; the soul of love and bravery

Thy songs were meant for the pure and free

They shall never sound in slavery.

Now we’ll sing Kevin Barry…

…Another martyr for old Erin

Another murder for the Crown.

The British laws may crush the Irish,

But cannot keep their spirits down.”

And the Irish song of rebellion that sends the true Irish into tears and my favorite – Boulavogue – the mournful ballad that tells the story which began at Boulavogue. Here are a few words.

Then Father Murphy from Old Killarney

Spurred up the rocks with a warning cry,

Arm! Arm he cried!

For I’ve come to lead you,

For Ireland’s freedom we’ll fight or die.

 ——

“Look out for hirelings” said King George of England

Search every kingdom that breeds a slave

For Father Murphy from the County Wexford

Sweeps o’re the land like a mighty wale.

 —–

The Yeoes at Tullo took father Murphy

And burned his body upon the rack

God grant you Glory, Brave Father Murphy

And open heaven to all your men.

The cause that called you;

May call tomorrow for another fight

For the green again.

Great Grandfather – J. W. Duffey “In ever grateful remembrance of a confederate soldier.” Colfax, Louisiana. Photo by me.

Great Grand parents with photos of their children – First Generation Americans. The man is my grandfather – Charles Edwin Duffey.

And your cause that calls you may call tomorrow for another fight. Be brave.

Erin Go Braugh – Ireland Forever!