If Your Irish Come Into The Parlour. !
St. Patrick's Day
Some of my friends on hub pages may remember Aunty Kate from the "Housemaid's knee" and all sorts of knee problems that I´ve covered in other hubs. She was the eldest of ten children , my dad being the youngest . She who took care of him after their parents died before my dad was 14 years old..
Aunty Kate had a heart of gold.
We grew up in Wales so it was slightly confusing for my brother and me, that we never saw a leek or a daffodil on March 1st. St David's Day..... But .... March 17th St Patrick's Day, deary me what a fuss Aunty kate would make. "I'm only 1st generation Welsh, born here," she'd say. "Your dad's and my parents were Irish through and through and their parents before them etc. Haven't you noticed all your Aunties and Uncles are named Timothy and Patrick and Kathleen...." OK We got the picture, but it was still a bit odd being the only 2 children in our school who wore fresh shamrock on our shirts every year on March 17th.
Aunty Kate would have the shamrock specially flown over from Ireland every year.
Aunty Kate should be here today
Oh! How she loved St. Patrick's Day.
Shamrock so fresh would arrive in the post
Over the Irish sea to our house.
"Aunty we're Welsh, or British at least.?"
She'd throw up her hands, as if we'd blasphemed.!
"It's Ireland we're from.!" (though British we seemed.)
For Aunty Kate there was no contest.
A bunch of fresh shamrock was pinned to our chest..
Then proudly she'd sing some old Irish songs,
"Sweet Molly Malone" to me seemed all wrong.!
The poor girl dropped dead before the end of the song.
I could cope with Killarney, the Lakes So Blue,
She took me there once, adventures so new.
A wonderful treat to Ireland we flew.
The city of Dublin, I loved and still do.
When the Guinness kicked in the songs were more lively,
We'd learn Irish Jigs and dance round the room.
That was no mean feat, I tell you for sure.
"Don't look at your feet! Eyes up from the floor".
There's a large lonely place without Aunty Kate,
The hardworking darling, no-one can replace.
Oh! How she'd love to be here today
To sing Irish songs in her own special way.
A beautiful voice, a generous heart.
But of course, she grew old and had to depart.
If anyone out there is enjoying Patrick's Day,
Spare a thought for me please for our dear Aunty Kate.