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Patrick was an honest soul," was very popular at one time. Another song, from a manuscript copy in the autograph of Sir Jonah Barrington, endorsed," Sung with great applause at a meet-ing assembled in the City of Paris, to celebrate the anniversary of the Saint of Hibernia." This was probably the 17th March, 1816, says Crofton Croker, in "The Popular Songs of Ireland"
(1839)- T h e s o n § i s c a I l e d " S t P atrick ' s Da y
in Paris." It possesses more merit in every sense of the word than any of the others. From Samuel Lover's song about the Saint's birthday, I give the two most striking stanzas:
" On the eighth day of March, as some people say, St. Patrick at midnight first saw the day ; While others declare 'twas the ninth he was bom, And 'twas all a mistake 'twixt the night and the morn."
As neither side would give in, the parish priest hits upon a happy compromise which is here duly related:
" Now, boys, don't be fighting 'bout eight and 'bout nine, Don't be always dividing, but sometimes combine; Join eight unto nine—seventeen is the mark : Let that be his birthday—* Amen' says the clerk !"
There is also a modern song by J. F. Waller, LL.D., " St. Patrick's Day in my own parlour.5'
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