Work-a-day Warriors/Saint Patrick's Day in the Mornin'

by Joseph Lee

SAINT PATRICK'S DAY IN THE MORNIN'

THE LOVE LILT OF CORPORAL PATRICK MULLOHOY OF THE CONNAUGHT RANGERS

Saint Patrick's Day in the mornin',
A year ago to-day,
I was awalkin' meself alone
Adown a green lane in ould Athlone—
Well, sure now, of course, sweet Molly Malone
Was with me upon the way;
I gathered a sprig of shamrock,
Which in her dear breast she set,
And, like the dew on the little plant,
With tears her blue eyes were wet—
For I was going away―
O, Saint Patrick's Day in the mornin'
A year ago to-day!

Saint Patrick's Day in the mornin',
This very blessed day,
The ould Colonel had us all out on parade,
And, "I'm proud of me bhoys," was what he said,
"Ye've won fresh laurels will never fade—
That's all that I've got to say";
Then he gave us a sprig of shamrock,
And I sent it home to my pet,
And all that I wrote aneath it was:
"Perhaps ye will not forget—
For ever and alway—
Saint Patrick's Day in the mornin'
A year ago to-day!"

Saint Patrick's Day in the mornin',
Next year this very day,
Please God I'll be walkin' meself alone
Adown that green lane in ould Athlone—
With by me side sweet Molly Malone,
To keep me upon the way;
Then I'll gather a sprig of shamrock,
And set it upon her breast,
And I'll place two kisses upon her lips—
And I'm thinkin' ye'll guess the rest—
For all that I'm going to say
Is, "Ye haven't forgotten the promise ye made
Upon Saint Patrick's Day—
Saint Patrick's Day in the mornin'
Two years ago to-day?"