Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 81, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 March 1909 — THE SHAMROCK. [ARTICLE]

THE SHAMROCK.

There’s a little green plant that grows over the sea, And the emerald leaves that it numbers are three, But though far from old Erin her sons may depart Each carries that little green plant In his heart. It comes from the glens where the wild waters meet, It is sweet with the smoke of the pipe and the peat, It teaches the l9ne, longing exile to sing And breathes to his spirit the promise of spring. Oh, the lad who was small when he came to New York May forget his old home in the County of Cork, The harp of his fathers may be but a name, And belief in the banshee no more he may claim, But lo! when the drums of St. Patrick’s Day roll, And the music is thrilling the core of your soul, He is sure to appear at the very first note With a little, green shamrock displayed on his coat. For the roses of England may wave o’er the mold. And the lilies of France their whiteness unfold, But the heart of the Irishman ever is true To the little green shamrock all shining with dew— The shamrock of Ireland eternally dear, The shamrock that sprang from a patriot’s tear, And immortally green, is entwined with the story Of Erin-go-bragh and its sorrow and glbry. —New York Sun.