THE ORANGE AND THE GREEN 4/4 (traditional)
Among others, this song was recored by the Quare Fellas (Dublin City Ramblers,
key of D), the Irish Rovers (key of E) and the Wolfe Tones (key of C#).
Chorus:
Oh, it (C)is the biggest (Am)mixup that (G)you have ever seen
Me (F)father was an (C)Orangemen, me (G)mother she was (C)green.
Oh, me (C)father was an (Am)Ulsterman, proud (G)Protestant was he
Me (F)mother was a (C)Catholic and from (G)county Cork was (C)she.
They were married in two (Am)churches and lived (G)happily enough
Un(F)til the day that (C)I was born and (G)things got rather (C)tough.
(Chorus)
Bap(C)tized by father (Am)Reilly I was (G)rushed away by car
To be (F)made a little (C)Orangemen, me (G)father’s shining (C)star.
I was christened David (Am)Antony but (G)still inspite of that
To me (F)father I was (C)Billy while me (G)mother called me (C)Pat.
Chorus
With (C)mother every (Am)sunday to (G)mass I’d proudly stoll
And (F)after that the (C)orange lord would (G)try to save me (C)soul.
And both sides tried to (Am)claim me, but (G)I was smart because
I’d (F)play the flute, I’d (C)play the harp de(G)pending were I (C)was
(Chorus)
And (C)when I’d sing those (Am)rebel songs much (G)to me mother’s joy
Me (F)father would jump (C)up and say “Look (G)here, now Bill me (C)boy!
That's quite enough of (Am)that lot.", he'd (G)toss me o’er a coin
He'd (F)have me sing The (C)Orange Flute or the (G)Heroes Of The (C)Boyne.
Chorus
One (C)day me Ma's re(Am)lations came (G)round to visit me.
Just (F)as my father's (C)kinfolk were (G)sitting down to (C)tea.
We tried to smooth things (Am)over, but they (G)all began to fight.
And (F)me, being strictly (C)neutral, I kicked (G)everyone in (C)sight.
(Chorus)
My (C)parents never (Am)could agree a(G)bout my type of school.
My (F)learning was all (C)done at home, that's (G)why I'm such a (C)fool.
They've both passed on, God (Am)rest 'em, but (G)I was left between
That (F)awful colour (C)problem of the (G)Orange and the (C)Green.
Chorus once or twice
