Emerald Isle, The

DESCRIPTION: "Of all nations under the sun, Dear Erin does truly excel." The boys are hearty and the girls beautiful. St Patrick drove out the vermin and blessed the shamrock. We have had heroes since with Brian Boroimhe "leathered the Danes black and blue"
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: before 1821 (broadside, Bodleian 2806 c.17(116))
KEYWORDS: Ireland nonballad patriotic
HISTORICAL REFERENCES:
Apr 23, 1014 - Battle of Clontarf. Brian Boru defeats a combined force of Vikings and rebels from Leinster, but dies in the battle
FOUND IN:
REFERENCES (1 citation):
O'Conor-OldTimeSongsAndBalladOfIreland, p. 153, "The Emerald Isle" (1 text)
Roud #13396
BROADSIDES:
Bodleian, 2806 c.17(116), "The Emerald Isle" or "St. Patrick's Will", G. Thompson (Liverpool), 1789-1820
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "Remember the Glories of Brian the Brave" (character of Brian Boru)
NOTES [51 words]: The reference is to Brian Boru (c.940-1014) king of Munster (976), High King of Ireland (1002), died on Good Friday April 23, 1014 during the Battle of Clontarf against the Vikings (source: NationMaster Encyclopedia site). - BS
For more details, see the notes to "Remember the Glories of Brian the Brave." - RBW
File: OCon153

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