THE SUIT OF GREEN

Come, all you pretty fair maids, and listen to my melody,
When you hear my lamentation, I am sure you will pity me;
‘Tis once I loved a young man, as neat a youth as could be seen,
He was torn from my arms for wearing a suit of green.

He told me of a lady, one he once was bound to see,
Who took him up to Dublin, with fineries and company;
She brought him to a shop of the neatest cloth that could be seen,
Embroidered all with gold lace — and she dressed him in the green.

‘Twas on a summer’s evening, as my love and I chanced to rove,
Folded in each other’s arms, we passed through shady groves;
He laid his head upon my breast, and these words to me did say:
“My love, my life is in danger for wearing of the green.”

I said, “My dearest William, if what you say to me be true,
Pray take off those green clothes, and I’ll buy you a suit of blue;”
“Oh no, my charming girl,” he said, “such cowardice ne’er be seen,
I am a son of Granua, and always will adorn the green.”

“I am a son of Granua, though from me my life they tore,
It is my native colour, the shamrock Saint Patrick wore;
And it shall never falter, though thousands against me be seen,
For some of the Queen’s own army have their facings made of green.”

It was on a Sunday evening, as my love and I sat in a room,
Not thinking of any harm, when suddenly the guards did come;
With their guns they broke the door, the moment my love they’d seen,
And they tore him from my arms for wearing the suit of green.

My love was taken prisoner, and by a court-martial tried,
The colonel gave the orders that at twelve next day he should die;
He said, “I disregard you, though no just law you show to me,
For all the crime you charge me with is wearing of the green.”

Then I went to the general, my case to him I did make known,
Imploring for his mercy, down on my bended knees I fell;
“Arise, my charming girl,” he said, “your love to you I will set free,
I’ll restore him to your arms, with leave to wear the green.”

So now his trial is over, thanks be to God that he is free,
May prosperity attend the man that gave my love to me;
‘Tis now I’ll wed my William — a faithful heart he’s proved to be,
I’ll embroider him with gold lace, and his mantle shall be green.