The Orange And The Green O, me father was an Ulsterman proud Prostestant was he Me mother was a Catholic girl from County Cork was she They were married in two churches, and life was good enough Until the day that I was born then things got rather rough Chorus Oh it is the biggest mixup that you have ever seen Me father he was Orange and me mother she was Green Baptized by Father Reilly, then rushed away by car To become a little Orangeman me father's shining star I was christened David Anthony but still in spite of that To me father I was William and me mother called me Pat With me mother every Sunday to mass I'd proudly stroll Then after that the Orange lodge would try to save me soul Both sides tried to claim me but I was smart because I'd play the harp or played the flute dependin' where I was One day me ma's relations came round to visit me Just as me father's kinfolk were all sittin' down to tea We tried to smooth things over but they all began to fight And me bein' strictly neutral I bashed everyone in sight Now me parents never could agree about me type of school My learnin' was all done at home that's why I'm such a fool They both passed on, God rest 'em, but left me caught between That awful colour problem called the Orange and the Green

© 2005 Jonathan Ramsey Irish Music Productions