Saint Patrick's Day By Del Abe Jones

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.

Copyright ©  Del Abe Jones 2006

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