The Orange and The Green

From: Brobdingnagian Fairy Tales

words and music traditional

Oh, it is the biggest mix-up that you have ever seen.
My father, he was Orange and me mother, she was green.

My father was an Ulster man, proud Protestant was he.
My mother was a Catholic girl, from county Cork was she.
They were married in two churches, lived happily enough,
Until the day that I was born and things got rather tough.

Baptized by Father Riley, I was rushed away by car,
To be made a little Orangeman, my father's shining star.
I was christened "David Anthony," but still, inspite of that,
To me father, I was William, while my mother called me Pat.

With Mother every Sunday, to Mass I'd proudly stroll.
Then after that, the Orange lodge would try to save my soul.
For both sides tried to claim me, but i was smart because
I'd play the flute or play the harp, depending where I was.

Now when I'd sing those rebel songs, much to me mother's joy,
Me father would jump up and say, "Look here would you me boy.
That's quite enough of that lot", he'd then toss me a coin
And he'd have me sing the Orange Flute or the Heros of The Boyne

One day me Ma's relations came round to visit me.
Just as my father's kinfolk were all sitting down to tea.
We tried to smooth things over, but they all began to fight.
And me, being strictly neutral, I bashed everyone in sight.

My parents never could agree about my type of school.
My learning was all done at home, that's why I'm such a fool.
They've both passed on, God rest 'em, but left me caught between
That awful color problem of the Orange and the Green.

KEY C

verse:
C Dm
F G
C Dm
F G

chorus:
Dm C
F C F-G7-C

Background: Another song Andrew learned from his much-beloved Irish Rovers. The song uses the same melody as Rising of the Moon. It's one of the few songs that actually pokes fun of the religious diffences of Ireland. I remember growing up and my dad told me that the Scottish wear orange on St. Patrick's Day. I didn't realize why until a couple years ago. One of the reasons for the division of Ireland into North and South Ireland is because the North is predominately Protestant (represented by the color Orange) and the South is predominately Catholic (represented by the color green).

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