Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE BIRTH OF SAINT PATRICK, by SAMUEL LOVER Poem Explanation Poet's Biography First Line: On the eighth day of march it was, some people say Last Line: And we keep up the practice from that day to this. Subject(s): Birth; Saints; Child Birth; Midwifery | ||||||||
ON the eighth day of March it was, some people say, That Saint Pathrick at midnight he first saw the day; While others declare 'twas the ninth he was born, And 'twas all a mistake between midnight and morn; for mistakes will occur in a hurry and shock, And some blam'd the baby -- and some blam'd the clock -- Till with all their cross-questions sure no one could know, If the child was too fast -- or the clock was too slow. Now the first faction fight in ould Ireland, they say, Was all on account of Saint Pathrick's birthday, Some fought for the eighth -- for the ninth more would die. And who wouldn't see right, sure they blacken'd his eye! At last, both the factions so positive grew, That each kept a birthday, so Pat then had two, Till Father Mulcahy, who showed them their sins, Said, "No one could have two birthdays but a twins." Says he, "Boys, don't be fightin' for eight or for nine, Don't be always dividin' -- but sometimes combine; Combine eight with nine, and seventeen is the mark, So let that be his birthday." -- "Amen," says the clerk. "If he wasn't a twins, sure our hist'ry will show -- That, at least, he's worth any two saints that we know!" Then they all got blind dhrunk -- which complated their bliss, And we keep up the practice from that day to this. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WHY I AM AFRAID OF TURNING THE PAGE by CATE MARVIN ACCIDENTS OF BIRTH by WILLIAM MEREDITH ONE FOR ALL NEWBORNS by THYLIAS MOSS CURRICULUM VITAE by LISEL MUELLER FOUND IN THE CABBAGE PATCH by LISEL MUELLER FATHER LAND AND MOTHER TONGUE by SAMUEL LOVER |
|