ADD: In Praise of St Patrick (Mark Bickford)

Subject: In Praise of St Patrick
From: GUEST,Mark Bickford
Date: 07 Aug 21 - 05:46 PM

Here is a song I made up years ago after reading "How the Irish Saved Civilization". It is supposed to be in the style of songs by Con O'Driscoll.

It is sung to the jig tune "The Haunted House" by Vincent Broderick
but any jig tune would do, I think.

In Praise of Saint Patrick

Now all of you here had a good education—
you’ve read old Tom Cahill and his dissertation
on how ‘twas the Irish saved civilization
                         when Europe had totally fallen apart.
And so, you’ll agree that we all owe a lot to
a certain old Saint with a shamrock who taught to
the Irish the stories he thought that he ought to,
                      and got the whole business off to a grand start.

Young Patrick grew up in a nice comfy haven,
‘til one day he was stolen and sold as a slave in
barbarian Ireland, but he didn’t cave in—
                      he’d pray night and day when he got the chance.
He spent six long years as a Sleamish slopes cowboy,
‘til a man in a dream said “Your ship’s ready now, boy!”
So he hiked across Ireland, and he found there a scow, boys,
                      with a cargo of hounds, headed over to France.

On arrival, they found the whole place had been pillaged,
with no sign of food, not a hamlet or village
“Pat, help from your God ‘s our last chance, if He will, I just
                         hope there’s a reason He’s listening to you!”
Soon after, a herd of wild pigs, they were makin’
a quick transformation to pork chops and bacon
And the satisfied sailors, their leave they were taking,
                      while Patrick, he trundled himself off to school.

His parents said, “Pat! You’ve been such a go-getter!
You’ve made it to Bishop! Things couldn’t be better!”
He said, “Folks, I’m sorry, but I’ve dreamed of a letter.”
            “The voice of the Irish, saying `come back to us please!`”
He went back, and he taught, and he preached, and baptized ‘em
For a while, though, the King and his wizards despised him
But that finally ended, and he opened their eyes—when
             He beat them old Druids and their magic, with ease!

Some say that he caused all the snakes to depart—with
a wave (but I think that they weren’t there to start with!)
But he did give the people of Ireland his heart, with
             a humbleness no one has ever forgot.
Saint Patrick, the man that old Ireland could call hers,
inspired so many disciples and followers
that they call her “The Isle of the Saints and the Scholars”
       now, isn’t that worth a big “Pat! Thanks a lot!”

At the writing of Latin he needed more lessons,
Or, that’s what he wrote in his book of confessions
But he’d rather spend more time down at the sessions
             And no one could possibly blame him for that!
Saint Patrick ’s Day, now, it is our celebration
We’ll fill up our glasses with copious libation
And toast to the saint who brought Ireland salvation.
          So, “hip, hip, hooray!” for our good old St. Pat!

Subject: RE: In Praise of St Patrick
From: leeneia
Date: 07 Aug 21 - 06:22 PM

That's great, Mark! Thanks for posting.

Subject: RE: ADD: In Praise of St Patrick (Mark Bickford)
From: robomatic
Date: 24 Nov 21 - 02:35 PM

Reminds me of a sign in a Seattle Irish Pub:

"Bring back the snakes!
Ireland was better off pagan!"