Fourteen Shades of Green (revision)

[dedalus]

One of the finest things I’ve ever seen

all across the valley so far below

and which makes me pause each time I go,

are those fourteen shades of green.

 

I haven’t washed for a week

as my helmet bounces on my head

and I don’t know what the sergeant said:

I never listen to that freak.

 

The grass is high and hides grenades

as the point man waves to put us down

so I close my eyes, see only brown:

squint away the sweat, put on my shades.

 

O God, I feel so fuckin weary

with little black bugs crawling in my hair

and cascades of insects everywhere:

I wish I was home in Dun Leary.

 

I was young, impatient, and out of pay

so I took my heart within my hands

and with a head held on with rubber bands,

left Erin for Ameri-kay.

 

It’s a great place if you can survive

but never go over in time of war;

we're the cannon-fodder they’re looking for

and the main thing is to stay alive!

 

Here’s you, boys!

Now … take my advice.

To America I’ll have you not be coming!

There is nothing here but war,

where the murdering cannons roar.

And I wish I was at home

in dear old Ireland.

 

Everything goes along in little bits,

but you've noticed, I suppose.

No? Never mind, it doesn’t matter.

 

Eight months in, only three months to go

in the worst place I have ever been

and I'll never come back, in my heart I know,

to these fourteen shades of green.

 

-------------------

* "Paddy's Lamentation", American Civil War song:

There is another video of the same song with better (more authentic) pictures from the era:

 

[dcmarti1]

To America I’ll have you not be coming!
There is nothing here but war,

Where would 300+ million of us emigrate to? Who the h*ll would want us?

 

I never listen to that freak.

Loved it! :)

[Benjamin]

An impressive and factually correct piece.. presented with your usual exemplary skill. It reminds me very much of The Pogues song, “Thousands are Sailing.” The Irish have a long history of migration which invariably meant ( dirty work ) fighting other peoples battles. The taking of the Royal Shilling for example gave birth to many traditional folk songs; and more recently we've seen some wonderful films such as ( fictional) “The Gangs of New York” woven into a tapestry of historical fact. Love the Mary Black song. Thanks. B.

[dr_con]

Beautiful! Hard hitting and stunning... But only 14 shades of green? Killarney must have over a thousand! (as per Franklin's poem)

 

Indeed agree with all the above, many thanks Bren!

 

Juris

[Gatekeeper]

And here I thought you were going to expound on the lovely Irish greens. Enjoyed this anyway.