Orange and the Green
The Irish Rovers
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Oh it is the biggest mix-up that you have ever seen My father he was orange and my mother she was green Oh my father was an Ulsterman, proud Protestant was he My mother was a Catholic girl, from County Cork was she They were married in two churches, lived happily enough Until the day that I was born and things got rather tough Oh it is the biggest mix-up that you have ever seen My father he was orange and my mother she was green Baptised by father Reilly, I was rushed away by car To be made a little orangeman, my father's shining star I was christened David Anthony, but still in spite of that To my father I was William while my mother called me Pat Oh it is the biggest mix-up that you have ever seen My father he was orange and my mother she was green With mother every Sunday to mass I'd proudly stroll Then after that the orange lads would try to save my soul For both sides tried to claim me, but I was smart because I played the flute or played the harp, depending where I was Oh it is the biggest mix-up that you have ever seen My father he was orange and my mother she was green One day my ma's relations came round to visit me Just as my father's kinfolk were all sittin' down to tea We tried to smooth things over, but they all began to fight And me being strictly neutral, I bashed everyone in sight Oh it is the biggest mix-up that you have ever seen My father he was orange and my mother she was green Now my parents never could agree about my type of school My learning was all done at home, that's why I'm such a fool They both passed on, god rest them, but left me caught between That awful color problem of the orange and the green Oh it is the biggest mix-up that you have ever seen My father he was orange and my mother she was green Yes it is the biggest mix-up that you have ever seen My father he was orange and my mother she was green
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10 facts about this song
Origin of Creation"Orange and The Green" is by The Irish Rovers, a Canadian-Irish folk group formed in 1963.
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Song ThemeThis song is often recognized as an humorous take on the religious division in Ireland, between Catholics (represented by the color green) and Protestants (represented by the color orange).
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Album Appearance"Orange and The Green" was a part of their 1968's album titled "The Unicorn," which was highly successful and secured a good position in the international music charts.
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Comedy-EducationThe song humorously presents a young lad's confusion born into a family of interfaith parents (one Catholic, one Protestant), highlighting the historical context and tensions between the religious groups that have deep roots in Ireland's history.
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Popular PerformanceDespite being originally released in 1968, "Orange and The Green" continues to be a fan-favorite during The Irish Rovers' live performances.
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Song InspirationsThe song was inspired by parental figures of George Millar, one of the founders of the group, whose father was Protestant and mother was Catholic, just like the context of the song codifies.
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Continuous InfluenceThe song remains relevant and is often played at St. Patrick's Day celebrations due to its Irish roots and humorous storytelling.
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Wider Cultural Impact"Orange and The Green" has been covered by many artists around the globe, speaking to its international appeal despite such a specific cultural and geographical context.
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Artistic OriginalityThe simplistic and upbeat melody of the song, contrasting with the complex historical and societal issues it deals with, is seen as what sets "The Orange And The Green" apart from traditional folk songs.
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Songs' PeculiarityUnlike many political folk songs from the era in which it was written, "Orange and The Green" maintains a lighthearted vibe which hides the complicated ideologies it unfolds.
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Citation
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"Orange and the Green Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 25 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/14802542/The+Irish+Rovers/Orange+and+the+Green>.
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