Music and Poetry

The Orange and The Green

Oh, it is the biggest mix-up that you have ever seen. 
Me Fodder, he was Orange and me Mudder, she was green.

Me Fodder was an Ulster man, proud Protestant was he. 
Me Mudder 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, Me Fodder's shining star. 
I was christened "David Anthony," but still, inspite of that, 
To me Fodder, I was William, while Me Mudder called me Pat.

With Mudder every Sunday, to Mass I'd proudly stroll. 
Then after that, the Orange lodge would try to save me 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 Mudder's joy, 
Me Fodder 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 Me Fodder'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.

Me 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.

I choose “The Orange and Green” performed by Artists Such as The Irish Rovers (Irish-Canadians), Wolfe Tone and others. I enjoy this song which presents a very serious and controversial issue in a comical sense. However, it was written by an individual who was very much at the centre of this conflict. The conflict I speak of is the conflict in Ireland between the Unionist/Loyalist (Support the U.K.) and Nationalist (Support an independent Ireland). The conflict has a religious association as far as most Protestants are Unionist/Loyalist, and most Catholics are Nationalists. The two groups have been in conflict for hundreds of year in Ireland, and the conflicts range from arguing to rebellion, sabotage, explosion, assassination etc. In the song, the artist refers to the Protestants as “The Orange” and the Catholics as “The Green”. The Artist was born in the middle of this conflict as his father was a Protestant and his mother was a Catholic, so he was born into a conflict between two groups where the two sides of his family had fought each other for hundreds of years. The song feature many cultural names and traditions such as the names Pat and William which are very associated with the two different groups. For example, Patrick, Paddy or Pat is a common catholic name due to it being conservative in the sense that St. Patrick brought Catholicism to Ireland which was the Original Christian denomination. And, William is a common Protestant name due to its association to King William who is a important protestant figure due to him saving Protestant Irish who were besieged in Ireland by the Catholics among other facts. This song is quite unique in regards to the fact that it is of subject matter that wouldn’t be comical because of its sad and serious nature, but it is one of the few songs on the subject matter which is comical. So, it is very much an inappropriate humor, and it would seem that the writer who was caught between these political conflicts has attempted to produce laughter from a situation that has produced many more tears, or for lack of a better phrase, make the best out of a poor situation.

The Irish have always been interesting to me because having a Newfoundland background usually means having a partially Irish ancestry. I must point out that the comical views of the writer are not the views of my own, and apologize if this song offense anyone. 

Here is the link to the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qqs4EbU02As