“No!” Claire’s voice was firm. “In this letter," and here she shook the ancient-looking document high over her head, “My great-grandfather gave his cousins possession of his farm in Ireland for the next 90 years; then, he writes that the cousins must give it back to his children IF the children claim it by Saint Patrick’s Day of the 91st year. We’re in the 91st-first year and St. Patrick’s day is almost here!” Join Claire, her family and friends on an unforgettable trip through Ireland as they experience its poetry, folk music, and stories of potato famine and St. Patrick.
Edward Lear's limericks you will hear in this episode:
There was a Young Lady whose nose,
Was so long that it reached to her toes;
So she hired an Old Lady,
Whose conduct was steady,
To carry that wonderful nose.
There was an Old Man with a beard,
Who said, "It is just as I feared! -
Two Owls and a Hen,
Four Larks and a Wren,
Have all built their nests in my beard!"
There was an Old Man of Kilkenny,
Who never had more than a penny;
He spent all that money,
In onions and honey,
That wayward Old Man of Kilkenny.
Take Me Back
Poem by Heidi Illian
Oh God, I am a captive in slavery
Would you please bring me back to my family
I’m taking care of all these sheep, you see,
But I want to fulfill my destiny
God I realize I’ve been selfish too
Hurt other people; didn’t follow you
Been a slave to sin and humanity
But you’ve set me free and I’m in your family
I love you now, more with every day,
Body in chains, soul no longer astray,
And now you say there’s a ship on it’s way,
My escape is here and I don’t have to stay.
You’ll take me back, you’ll take me back,
I’m going home cause you’re taking me back.
“I’ve seen a vision in my liberty,
The Irish are begging and calling me
Danger waits around every turn
But I must return for Christianity.”
I’m going back to Ireland…
I can’t stay silent
Though they may get violent
I’m going back, God took me back, so there’s no turning back.
Read St. Patrick's Autobiography Here: https://www.confessio.ie/etexts/confessio_english#
Irish Blessing:
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Opening Music: Lindsey Addonizio, and Sarah and Chris Buteux