{"id":2625,"date":"2020-05-24T11:14:44","date_gmt":"2020-05-24T11:14:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/folksongandmusichall.com\/?page_id=2625"},"modified":"2026-02-20T07:51:25","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T07:51:25","slug":"where-the-grass-grows-green","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/folksongandmusichall.com\/index.php\/where-the-grass-grows-green\/","title":{"rendered":"Where the grass grows green"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
AKA<\/strong><\/td>Dennis Blake<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Lyrics<\/strong><\/td>Harry Clifton <\/td>Music<\/strong><\/td>Harry Clifton<\/td>Roud<\/strong><\/td>8213<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Music Hall Performers<\/strong><\/td> Harry Clifton<\/td><\/tr>
Folk performances<\/strong><\/td>Source singers<\/strong>
Jack Beeforth, ca1970, Yorkshire, England
Carrie Brennan, 1978, Newfoundland <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
I'm Denny Blake from County Clare And here at your command,\nTo sing a song in praise of home, And my own native land;\nI've sailed to foreign Countries And in many climes I've been,\nBut my heart is still with Erin, Where the grass grows green.\n\nI love my native Country, And I'm loyal to my Queen,\nBut I can't forget \"Ould Erin,\" Where the grass grows green.<\/em>\n\nPoor Pat is often painted, With a ragged coat and hat,\nHis heart and hospitality, Has much to do with that;\nLet slanderers say what they will, They cannot call him mean,\nSure a stranger's always welcome, Where the grass grows green.\n\nHe's foolish but not vicious, His faults I won't defend,\nHis purse to help the orphan, His life to serve a friend;\nHe'll give without a murmur, So hi follies try and screen,\nFor there's noble hearts in Erin, Where the grass grows green.\n\n'Tis true he has a weakness, For a drop of something pure,\nBut that's a slight debility, That many more endure;\nHe's fond of fun, he's witty, Tho' his wit is not too keen,\nFor there's feeling hearts to Erin, Where the grass grows green.\n\nThere's not a true born Irishman, Wherever he may be,\nBut loves the little Emerald, That sparkles on the sea;\nMay the sun of bright prosperity, Shine peaceful and serene,\nAnd bring better days to Erin, Where the grass grows green.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
One of a number of new songs by Harry Clifton<\/a> advertised by his publishers Hopwood and Crew in 1867: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Era – 25 Aug 1867<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Widely published on both sides of the Atlantic in the late 19th and early 20th century, both in songsters and broadsides. 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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
I have not yet been able to find any evidence of modern performances of this song\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n