Wearing of the Green

Wearing of the Green – symbol of Irish nationalism

The Wearing of the Green recounts the ridiculous lengths the British were prepared to go to in a desperate attempt to suppress Irish nationalism in the 18th and 19th centuries.

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The colour green had already assumed a symbolic significance in Ireland by that time.

This was largely because it was the colour of the shamrock, which itself carried huge significance as it was supposedly used by St Patrick to explain the mystery of the Holy Trinity.

Shamrock and colour green represented Ireland

Shamrock

The shamrock emerged as more than a religious emblem in the early 18th century. It came to be seen as symbol of Ireland and by extension, a symbol of Irish nationalism and independence.

It was only a small step to imbue the colour green with the same associations.

In the early 18th century, Irish patriots started wearing green ribbons to show their support for Irish nationalism.

Towards the end of the 18th century, the rebel organisation, the United Irishmen adopted green as their official colour as they planned their insurrection against British rule.

British wanted to stamp out Irish identity

The British authorities were keen to stamp out displays of Irish identity and independence such as the Irish language. Soon, they came to see the colour green as a dangerous symbol that could rally Irish nationalist fervour.

They banned people from wearing green as an open symbol of their Irish identity. Irish newspapers published notices stating that wearing such items as green ribbons or handkerchiefs as “an emblem of affection to Ireland” were forbidden.

To wear such items would “subject a man to imprisonment, transportation, the rope or the bayonet, and expose women to the brutal insults of the common soldiery”.

Ban on green seen as outrageous and ridiculous

The move was seen by the Irish as both outrageous and ridiculous in equal measure.

The song The Wearing of the Green captures both those emotions perfectly. The opening verse conjures up the sense of absurdity with the line “the shamrock is forbid by law to grow on Irish ground”.

The aim is to mock the British for thinking they could pass a law that would stop shamrock growing or green appearing.

James Napper Tandy ~ late 1700s

Hanging men and women for Wearing of the Green

Though ridiculous, the ban is dangerous because the British were prepared to be brutal to enforce it.

As the song’s refrain says: “They’re hanging men and women for the Wearing of the Green”.

Napper Tandy who is referred to in the song, was an Irish rebel leader at the time of the 1798 Rebellion. He was exiled following the failure of the rebellion and died in France in 1803.

When laws can stop the grass from growing

The Irish saw attempts to ban the wearing of the green as being completely futile.

Caibin means cloth hat or cap

That’s why the singer asserts that he will continue to wear green in his caibin (pronounced cawbeen) until such time as the British can show that their law can prevent the grass from growing.

Obviously, they will never be able to do that and by the same token they will never be able to suppress Irish nationalism and the wearing of the green.

Traditional song reworked by Don Boucicault

The Wearing of the Green is largely a traditional song dating from the late 18th century.

There are many variations but the one most widely used today was written, or more likely adapted, by the Irish actor and playwright Don Boucicault.

He used his reworked version in a play he produced in Dublin in 1864 called Arragh na Pogue, which means the Wicklow Wedding. The play is still performed today and remains popular.

Boucicault may have added idea of emigration to the US

Two of the verses in Boucicault’s version refer to emigrating to the US, a land of liberty.

These verses seem to contradict the spirit of the rest of the song because instead of showing defiance against the British, they seem to accept there’s nothing to be done except to leave Ireland and start life abroad.

This may have reflected Boucicault’s views rather than those of the Irish people in general. Indeed, Boucicault did emigrate to America, although it was the scandal of leaving his wife for an actress that spurred him to leave rather than any oppression from the British.

The Irish have continued wearing green

Despite the best efforts of the British, they never could and never did prevent Irish people from expressing their identity by wearing green.

If anything, they made the wearing of the green more popular than ever. Even today, it is still closely associated with Ireland, as can be seen by the way millions of people all across don green hats, t shirts and emblems every year to celebrate St Patrick’s Day.

Celebtating St Patricks Day in Dublin

See more photos of people celebrating ‘wearing of the green’ on St Partrick’s Day Dublin 2011.

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