I am going to post a poem, written probably 150 years ago, and originally pointed out to me by Philippa (How are you, my friend?). Sean Tyrell set it to music, and I have now begun to perform it at every performance. In it the author uses the Orange Lily and its green stem as a metaphor for the parties, and the good soil is Ireland. This isn't about being Orange or Green, it is about being Irish. The poem is so relevant today....................
12th of July
Come pledge again your heart and your hand One grasp that will never sever Our password be our native land, our motto love forever And let the Orange Lily be, your badge my patriot brother. It's the everlasting green for me, and we.......for one another
Behold how green that gallant stem, on which the flower is blooming How in one heavenly breeze and beam, both flower and stem are glowing The same good soil sustaining both makes both united flourish Yet cannot give the orange growth and cease the green to nourish
The more the hand that plucks that flower Will vainly strive to cherish But in that hour the stem blooms on The flower it begins to perish Regard them then of equal worth While last their genial weather The time's at hand when deep in earth They will both sink together
And even though it be in our country's cause Our party feelings blended 'Til lasting peace from equal laws On both will have descended 'Til then the Orange Lily be Your badge my patriot brother It's the everlasting green for me And we........for one another
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