Thursday, March 17, 2016

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Did You Forget to Wear Green?

All those of Irish decent (and many other people) wear the color green on St Patrick's Day. But do you know why? 

Today I'm sharing a little history about this tradition. And a suggestion for a quick and easy way to keep yourself from getting pinched if you forget to wear green on St. Patrick's Day.

March 17th is St Patrick's day

The Wearing of the Green

In the late 1700's, when the Irish rose up against the British, wearing the color green or a shamrock was forbidden, as it was considered a rebellious act. People who were non-compliant with this rule were
prosecuted, some apparently even hung. Wearing of the Green is a ballad written about that time, and still popular today.  

The song begins:

"O Paddy dear, and did ye hear the news that's goin' round?
The shamrock is by law forbid to grow on Irish ground!
No more Saint Patrick's Day we'll keep, his color can't be seen
For there's a cruel law ag'in the Wearin' o' the Green."
Further lyrics tell of how "they're hanging men and women for the wearin' o' the green" and that until "laws can stop the blades of grass from growing, the Irish will "stick to the wearin' o' the green."

To read the full lyrics of The Wearing of the Green, click here.
To hear a sample or purchase recording of The Wearing of the Green, click here.


If you don't wear green on March 17th, you might get pinched!

Strong feelings of Irish patriotism are what motivate many people to wear green on St. Patrick's Day. Others simply know that if they don't, they run the risk of being pinched, a tradition which began years ago as well. No one wants to be pinched, right?!


There's a quick, easy solution if you forgot to wear green on St. Patrick's Day

Teachers often feel badly for the elementary school kids who get teased because they are not wearing green on St Patrick's Day.  It is easy (for both kids and adults) to leave home without wearing any green, before realizing what day it is. 

One simple solution for this is to quickly make a St. Patrick's day badge with a little green on it.  This could be a fun class project, or an easy craft to do at home with your kids.  And the best part thing about it - no one will get pinched while wearing one of these!


Happy St. Patrick's day

To show you just how easy it is to make one of these badges, I have made a video.  Yes - a video. I am really going out on a limb here!  I'm a lot more used to sharing my thoughts on this blog in writing - but a video seemed like the best way to prove that anyone can draw a shamrock - and quickly produce this badge. This is the first "how to" video I have ever produced, so please be kind! 




May the luck of the Irish be with you today and always.

Do you always wear green on March 17th?


Happy St. Patrick's day

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12 comments :

  1. A video! How splendid. Well done, you. I am most impressed. Love the creation - such a simple and easy fix if you forgot to wear something green today. I often forgot to wear green on the 17th of March however I'm one of the lucky ones. My eyes are green so if anyone dared try to pinch me, I'd point to my eyes. Happy St. Patrick's Day, Susan! May the luck of the Irish be with you.

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    1. Thanks for the feedback Kelly. I was really quite nervous to post the video! Lucky you to have green eyes - mine are brown, so no help there! I really need to shop for a few items of clothing that are green before next March!

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  2. I did indeed wear green. T-shirt and earrings. And then completely forgot about it.
    I hadn't come across the 'pinching' aspect before. I don't think it happens here.
    Love your badge idea.

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    1. Pinching people who didn't wear green was practically a sport in my elementary school in Canada on March 17th! Lucky you to have not experienced that! Fortunately, I had a mother who was always good about reminding me to choose my wardrobe carefully that day.

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  3. Heehee! Perfect! Or you can do what my daughter did, stripe your arm with green marker . . .

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    1. Ha ha! I love her creativity! Has the marker worn off yet? (As a parent of a swimmer who for years wrote her event/heats on her leg for every meet with a sharpee, I can tell you that rubbing alcohol removes it well!

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  4. I love that you made a video - great job! Every year on St. Patrick's Day I realize that I don't have much green in my closet - I know, shocking :)! The badge is a fun idea.

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    1. I am lacking in green clothing as well. Maybe we can remind each other to do a little shopping before next St. Patrick's day rolls around! If not - I will be making a badge again!

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  5. I forget to wear green every year, it seems!!

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    1. It is easy to forget! Glad to see that you are back blogging; I just visited your blog and read your most recent posts. Enjoy Germany!

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  6. I loved this Susan! As you can see I'm getting caught up tonight. I've been on vacation and came home with food poisoning. Fun times! We were away celebrating hubby's birthday he is actually born on St. Patrick's Day and is about as Irish as you get! His name is Patrick McDaniel! Anyway we went to the Smoky Mountains and I of course forgot to pack any green so he went out and bought me a new tshirt because he said he just couldn't stand it haha!

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    1. I just read your blog post - so sorry to hear your wonderful get-away ended with you feeling miserable! Happy belated Bday to Patrick!

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