Happy St. Patrick's Day - Irish Prayer & Songs

Tis the day for the "wearin' O the green," and a Happy St. Patrick's Day to ye!

An Irish Prayer

May God give you...

For every storm, a rainbow,

For every tear, a smile,

For every care, a promise,

And a blessing in each trial,

For every problem life sends,

A faithful friend to share,

For every sigh a sweet song,

And an answer for each prayer.

When Irish Eyes Are Smiling and Danny Boy are two of my all-time favorite songs and both happen to be Irish. When I was a child, I would sing the former at the top of my lungs as I walked in the wind up an old, untraveled road. It was great therapy for the soul.

Here's the chorus to When Irish Eyes Are Smiling... written by George Graff, Jr. and Chauncy Olcott, music by Ernest R. Ball

When Irish eyes are smiling, Sure tis like a morn in spring. In the lilt of Irish laughter,

You can hear the angels sing. When Irish hearts are happy, All the world seems bright and gay,

And when Irish eyes are smiling, Sure they'll steal your heart away!

The most beautiful recording I have ever heard of Danny Boy was made by the late Eva Cassidy. Although considered a traditional Irish ballad, it was written by an English lawyer. The story of the song is quite interesting and you might want to look it up on Wikipedia.