Toasts & Tales
May you have warm words on a cold evening,
A full moon on a dark night,
And the road downhill all the way to your door.
May you have food and raiment,
A soft pillow for your head,
May you be forty years in heaven
Before the devil knows you're dead!
Here's to you and yours and to mine and ours,
And if mine and ours ever come across you and yours,
I hope you and yours will do as much for mine and ours,
As mine and ours have done for you and yours!
May you live to be a hundred years
With one extra year to repent!
May the face of good news,
And the back of every bad news
Be toward us.
May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
The sun shine warm upon your face.
The rain fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again
May God hold you in the hallow of His hand.
Time for a bit of music
The Parade
The first St. Patrick's Day Parade was actually held in New York City in 1962. It consisted of Irish soldiers serving in the English military marching the streets of the city. "Each year, nearly three million people line the one-and-a-half mile parade route to watch the procession, which takes more than five hours. Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Savannah also celebrate the day with parades including between 10,000 to 20,000 participants." - The History Channel
Traditions
The traditional meal of Saint Patrick's Day is corned beef, boiled potatoes and mashed cabbage, as well is Guiness.
The shamrock is a special part of the holiday; in ancient Ireland it symbolized the rebirth of spring. Since then, the shamrock has become a symbol of Irish nationalism and pride. It is also said that Saint Patrick used the three-leaved shamrock to demonstrate the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Green
The color green is associated with the holiday for a few, obvious reasons. The first is because of the shamrock, which the Irish hold close to their culture. Also, green is on the national Irish flag, where is represents all the green pastures of the country.
Sayings
Here’s to you and yours and to mine and ours. And if mine and ours ever come across to you and yours, I hope you and yours will do as much for mine and ours as mine and ours have done for you and yours!
May you never forget what is worth remembering or remember what is best forgotten.
May the saddest day of your future be no worse than the happiest day of your past.
May your neighbors respect you and troubles neglect you and Heaven accept you.
In Heaven there is no beer that’s why we drink it here!
If you’re lucky enough to be Irish…you’re lucky enough!
