The Birth Of Saint Patrick

On the eighth day of March it was, some people say,     That Saint Pathrick at midnight he first saw the day;     While others declare 'twas the ninth he was born,     And 'twas all a mistake between midnight and morn;     For mistakes will occur in a hurry and shock,     And some blam'd the baby - and some blam'd the clock -     Till with all their cross-questions sure no one could know,     If the child was too fast - or the clock was too slow.     Now the first faction fight in ould Ireland, they say,     Was all on account of Saint Pathrick's birthday,     Some fought for the eighth - for the ninth more would die.     And who wouldn't see right, sure they blacken'd his eye!     At last, both the factions so positive grew,     That each kept a birthday, so Pat then had two,     Till Father Mulcahy, who showed them their sins,     Said, "No one could have two birthdays but a twins."     Says he, "Boys, don't be fightin' for eight or for nine,     Don't be always dividin' - but sometimes combine;     Combine eight with nine, and seventeen is the mark,     So let that be his birthday." - "Amen," says the clerk.     "If he wasn't a twins, sure our hist'ry will show -     That, at least, he's worth any two saints that we know!"     Then they all got blind dhrunk - which complated their bliss,     And we keep up the practice from that day to this.                          Samuel Lover.