Green is the national color of Ireland and is symbolic of the Emerald Isle's lush green landscape. It also represents another of Ireland's national symbols, the shamrock, in honor of their patron saint. During the end of the 4th century, the shamrock was used by Saint Patrick in his missionary work to convert the people of Ireland to Christianity. He chose the three leafed shape of the shamrock to use as a symbolic representation of the Holy Trinity. The shamrock's shape also resembled the shape of a cross.

The Irish song which follows dates from Tudor times & is a reflection of the English repression of Catholicism during Elizabeth I’s conquest of Ireland.

THE WEARIN�?O�?THE GREEN

O Paddy dear, and did ye hear the news that's goin' round?

The shamrock is by law forbid to grow on Irish ground!

No more Saint Patrick's Day we'll keep, his color can't be seen

For there's a cruel law ag'in the Wearin' o' the Green.

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I met with Napper Tandy, and he took me by the hand,

And he said, "How's poor ould Ireland, and how does she stand?"

"She's the most distressful country that ever yet was seen,

For they're hanging men and women there for the Wearin' o' the Green.

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So if the color we must wear be England's cruel red

Let it remind us of the blood that Irishmen have shed;

And pull the shamrock from your hat, and throw it on the sod

But never fear, 'twill take root there, though underfoot 'tis trod.

When laws can stop the blades of grass from growin' as they grow

And when the leaves in summer-time their color dare not show,

Then I will change the color too I wear in my caubeen;

But till that day, please God, I'll stick to the Wearin' o' the Green.