I think what the original news story failed to make clear is that, while St. Pat's day is often (almost always?) in Lent, this year it's on a Friday, as well, and while meatless Fridays are a thing of the past, in Lent Fridays are meatless (surely not every day in Lent is meatless, or this would not have made the news--the Irish would be well aware that meat was usually forbidden on the saint's day as throughout Lent)(not being Catholic, I'm not sure, so one of you of the faith might set me straight).

I thought that the Lizzie Borden song was a natural, the bishop mentioned as insisting on a meatless holiday being from her home town (I thought I'd have to hurry to beat anyone else to the punch on my whole first line), but I also considered "The Wearing of the Green" as a likely song to parody: "...for there's a holy law against the eating of the beef..." and thought about how ill-suited fish is for eating with stout or porter, another possible theme for a song.

I'll have to admit to great disappointment in finding my virgin effort in the Song Challenges totally ignored, except by Amos, whose attention I solicited by complimenting his song. I will have to admit that the regulars wrote some terrific songs, fully worthy of the attention which eluded mine.

--seed