BIRTHDAY OF ST. PATRICK
(Lover / Moffatt)

Leo McCaffrey


On the eighth day of March it was, some people say
That Saint Patrick at midnight, he first saw the day
While others declare 'twas the ninth he was born
But 'twas all a mistake between midnight and morn

Mistakes will occur in a hurry and shock
While some blamed the baby and some blamed the clock
Till with all their cross questions, sure no one could know
If the clock was too fast or the child was too slow

Now the first faction fight in old Ireland, they say
It was all on account of Saint Patrick's birthday
Some fought for the eighth, for the ninth more would die
And who wouldn't see right, sure they blackened his eye

Till at last both the factions so positive grew
They 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 twins

Says he, "Boys, don't be fighting for eight or for nine
Don't be always dividing, sometimes combine
Combine eight with nine, seventeen is the mark
So let that be his birthday". "Amen" says the clerk

If he wasn't a twin, sure our history will show
That at least he's worth any two saints that we know
Then we all got blind drunk, which completed our bliss
And we keep up the practice from that day to this



(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - November 2006)