Oh Paddy dear, and did you hear the news that's going round The Shamrock is forbid by law to drow on Irish ground Saint Patrick's Day no more to keep, his color can't be seen For there's a bloody law again the wearing of the green I met with Napper Tandy, and he took me by the hand And sez he 'How's dear old Ireland, and how does she stand? She's the most distressful country that I have ever seen They're hanging men and women for the wearing of the green When the law can stop the blades of grass from growing as they grow And when the leaves in summertime their verdure dare not show Then I will change the color that I wear in my caubeen But till that day, please God, I'll stick to wearing of the green