Thursday, March 17, 2011

Ode to the Irish on St. Patrick's Day



Leprechauns, castles, good luck and laughter
Lullabies, dreams, and love ever after.
Poems and songs with pipes and drums
A thousand welcomes when anyone comes.
That's the Irish for you!


First a little history of why we celebrate St. Patrick's Day in the first place:


Wonderful Irish poets, writers, actors and musicians have inspired us over the centuries. People such as Oscar Wilde, William Butler Yeats, and Samuel Beckett. And actors and musicians who epitomize Irish characters like Maureen O'Hara and Bing Crosby. Traditional Irish music can be happy and joyful with songs like "When Irish Eyes are Smiling" and "Whiskey on a Sunday" or they may tell a story as in "Molly Malone" or the sorrowful and nostalgic "Danny Boy". (See "Danny Boy" lyrics below and links to the Muppets' and Andy William's version under "links" on the right-hand side)

Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side
The summer's gone, and all the flowers are dying
'Tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide.
But come ye back when summer's in the meadow
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow
'Tis I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow
Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so.


Top 12 Irish Playlist for St. Patrick's Day:
1. Danny Boy
2. When Irish Eyes are Smiling
3. Beer, Beer, Beer - The Clancey Brothers
4. Whiskey on a Sunday - The Clancey Brothers
5. Molly Malone
6. Irish Lullaby
7. Sunday, Bloody Sunday - U2
8. Drink a Round to Irishmen - Judy Collins
9. Whiskey in the Jar
10. The Irish Washerwoman
11. The Rose of Tralee
12. Dirty Old Town

Then of course, there's the amazing Irish dancing, and I can no longer think of Ireland or St. Patrick's Day without the incredible performances of Riverdance that showcase all kinds of traditions in Irish heritage. Everytime I watch it, it gives me goosebumps. Here is the opening sequence from the show:



So this St. Patrick's Day, hats off to thee, Ireland, with your 40 shades of green and wonderful literary, musical and artistic traditions!

May the leprechauns be near you,
To spread luck along your way.
And may all the Irish angels,
Smile upon you on St. Patrick's Day.




Slainte and Éirinn go Brách - Cheers and Long live Ireland!

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