At school in London's Burnt Oak, St Patrick's Day was an occasion for school sports, competitions and general celebration. Football, Netball, Tennis matches abounded with, of course, two teams, English and Irish. The trouble was, all claimed an Irish ancestry on this day which left the English teams much depleted in terms of talent. The result was a thorough thrashing for England but all taken in good part.
This hymn to St Patrick is rather schmaltzy but I like it all the same.Hail, glorious St. Patrick, dear saint of our isle,
On us thy poor children bestow a sweet smile;
And now thou art high in the mansions above,
On Erin's green valleys look down in thy love.
(optional repeat)
On Erin's green valleys, on Erin's green valleys,
On Erin's green valleys look down in thy love.
Hail, glorious St. Patrick, thy words were once strong
Against Satan's wiles and a heretic throng;
Not less is thy might where in Heaven thou art;
Oh, come to our aid, in our battle take part!
In a war against sin, in the fight for the faith,
Dear Saint, may thy children resist to the death;
May their strength be in meekness, in penance, and prayer,
Their banner the Cross, which they glory to bear.
Thy people, now exiles on many a shore,
Shall love and revere thee till time be no more;
And the fire thou hast kindled shall ever burn bright,
Its warmth undiminished, undying its light.
Ever bless and defend the sweet land of our birth,
Where the shamrock still blooms as when thou wert on earth,
And our hearts shall yet burn, wherever we roam,
For God and St. Patrick, and our native home.
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| Happy Feast to all of Irish descent! |
