HAPPY SAINT PATRICK’S DAY

SAINT PATRICK’S DAY

The Patron Saint of Ireland

Died in the Fifth Century

On the Seventeenth of March

 

Is that Anniversary.

That day is during Lent

When the Irish celebrate

With dance and drink and feast

Of cabbage and bacon they ate.

The first Patty’s Day Parade

Was held in New York City

In Seventeen sixty-two

By Irish in the English Military.

Over the next thirty-five years

Immigration and "Irish Aid" grew

Where the Societies held parades

As drums beat and the bagpipes blew.

Up until the Great Potato Famine

In Eighteen forty-five came to pass

Most immigrants were Protestant

And came from the middle class.

But then to escape starvation

A million poor Catholics came here

Despised by their counterparts

Because of ignorance and fear.

Though, they soon began to organize

Saw their great numbers gave them power

And their voting block, the "green machine"

Became the swing vote of the hour.

The Parades became a show of strength

Where candidates vied for their vote

Many attended New York City’s

President Truman, one of note.

Now they celebrate around the World

To be part of the Irish scene

Last year one million went to Dublin

For the wearing of the green.

Once just a religious occasion

Of a barely known Holiday

But now, everyone is Irish

At least, for this one day.

Del "Abe" Jones

03-14-2005