The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #11139 Message #687279
Posted By: Irish sergeant
10-Apr-02 - 03:36 PM
Thread Name: Origins: The Green Laurel / Green Grows the Laurel
Subject: RE: the green laurel / green grows the laurel
The version Delores Keane does was known in the United States during the Mexican War. Folklore had it that this song was the source of the term "Gringo" How true that is is anyones guess. It was sung by Irish soldiers although its possible it was known previous to the war with Mexico. I would be very interested to know if any broadsides from that period are extant. I Know that Samuel Eliot Morrison included the first line or two in his Oxford History of the American People which was published in the mid 1960s. Hope that helps. Kindest regards, neil