Where the grass grows green

AKADennis Blake
LyricsHarry Clifton MusicHarry CliftonRoud8213
Music Hall Performers Harry Clifton
Folk performancesSource singers
Jack Beeforth, ca1970, Yorkshire, England
Carrie Brennan, 1978, Newfoundland 
I'm Denny Blake from County Clare And here at your command,
To sing a song in praise of home, And my own native land;
I've sailed to foreign Countries And in many climes I've been,
But my heart is still with Erin, Where the grass grows green.

I love my native Country, And I'm loyal to my Queen,
But I can't forget "Ould Erin," Where the grass grows green.

Poor Pat is often painted, With a ragged coat and hat,
His heart and hospitality, Has much to do with that;
Let slanderers say what they will, They cannot call him mean,
Sure a stranger's always welcome, Where the grass grows green.

He's foolish but not vicious, His faults I won't defend,
His purse to help the orphan, His life to serve a friend;
He'll give without a murmur, So hi follies try and screen,
For there's noble hearts in Erin, Where the grass grows green.

'Tis true he has a weakness, For a drop of something pure,
But that's a slight debility, That many more endure;
He's fond of fun, he's witty, Tho' his wit is not too keen,
For there's feeling hearts to Erin, Where the grass grows green.

There's not a true born Irishman, Wherever he may be,
But loves the little Emerald, That sparkles on the sea;
May the sun of bright prosperity, Shine peaceful and serene,
And bring better days to Erin, Where the grass grows green.

One of a number of new songs by Harry Clifton advertised by his publishers Hopwood and Crew in 1867:

The Era – 25 Aug 1867

It’s been suggested that Clifton stopped writing and performing Irish material in his later career, but this and other songs provide evidence that Irish songs remained in his repertoire even in the later “concert party” period. The song has been collected from to traditional singers in the 1960s/70s; one on a Yorkshire farm, the other in Newfoundland.

Widely published on both sides of the Atlantic in the late 19th and early 20th century, both in songbooks and broadsheets. Occurs in a number of collections of Irish songs, often listed as traditional. It seems to have been particularly popular in Canada and America, where sentimental songs of home were popular amongst emigrants.

I have not yet been able to find any evidence of modern performances of this song…

Sources:

Last Updated on August 14, 2023 by John Baxter | Published: May 24, 2020

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