Cowboy poetry originated from Irish songs
Born Maewyn Succat, he changed his name to Patrick, which means “father figure,” when he became a priest.
Saint Patrick was a 5th-century missionary who was sent to Ireland in 432 and he later served as bishop. He is credited with bringing Christianity to parts of Ireland, where he became one of the patron saints of Ireland.
He served until his death, March 17, 461, a date which became the holiday, St. Patrick’s Day. Saint Patrick was not Irish born, but spent time there when he was captured by pirates. He escaped back to England before being sent to Ireland as a missionary in 432.
St. Patrick, upon seeing the three-leafed clover chose to use it to explain the trinity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, as one. The Irish people finally understood what he meant, and that’s how the shamrock became so important in Irish history. Mythology brings the story of the stealing of a king’s harp resulting in a lack of music bringing sorrow and sadness to the country until the evil gods returned the harp whereupon music brought joy to the land and the harp became a national icon of Ireland.
St. Patrick fought this superstition and mythology throughout his days. Oppression of the peasant class in later years caused major immigration. The Scotch-Irish immigrants are credited with bringing their story telling abilities to America and spreading them across the western range, especially after the War of Northern Aggression. The beginning of cowboy poetry is thought to have originated from the stories and songs of Scottish and Irish shepherds. These were put into rhyme to help them to be remembered easier. This time period found men moving west to pursue freedom and land. They become the cowboys that helped to tame the west. Thus, St. Paddy’s Day is an important cowboy holiday.
The Old West provides a platform for western folk art. It has evolved to what we have today, thus helping to preserve our Western Heritage.
Many lonely hours were whiled away by making up stories and songs that told about their daily adventures, as well as, their memories of family, sweethearts, and the life left behind in their home countries. This way of life was at its peak in the late 1800s and early 1900s and remains alive in the hearts and minds of all of us that continue to revel in the freedoms offered by the wide open spaces and the land of “big sky.”
These cowboys were away from home and family, so many would use humor in their stories and poems to brighten their day. Gathering around the chuck wagons or cook shacks at the end of day, these cowboys entertained themselves and others by telling about the adventures of that day. Next, someone would bring out a musical instrument and play tunes from the old country or bawdy ballads from pubs and saloons. Soon, the stories were put to music or maybe just to rhyme, thus cowboy poetry got its start. Sometimes, one would be singled out as having a knack to “turn a phrase” or maybe being called “windy.” This very likely spawned the old saying, “The first liar doesn’t stand a chance!”
Now, most of these ol’ boys possessed the “gift of gab” and probably had “kissed the blarney stone,” and they also were very superstitious and after having a swig or two of “redeye,” they were prone to see the leprechauns, faries and even the “devil hisself.”
The poem, “Tyin’ Knots in the Devil’s Tail” written by Gail Gardner, a classic cowboy poet from Prescott, AZ, did not realize he was writing a St. Patrick’s Day poem, but it does a good job of describing a true Irish cowboy! I say all of that to say this…I have been told that I am as Irish as Paddy’s pig! That I have all the characteristics (Of the Irish, not the pig.) since I was known to kiss the “Blarney Stone.”
Yes, I could be a bit windy, watched clouds and daydreamed, I was red headed enough to fight at the drop of a hat, recognized Leprechauns and the occasional devil, and John Barleycorn was never nice to me! My Ol’ Daddy always said, “Lad, ye best put yore mind back in gear, afore my boot meets yore rear!” Many an Irish lad took that kind of message to heart and went about their work diligently until the time came that motivated them to take action and move on, seeking their fortune farther west.
Wearin’ o’ the Green
Sure, an a little piece of heaven fell to earth,
To nestle beside the sea,
An the beauty of its green would soon give birth,
While Faries an’ Pixies danced with glee.
Years flew by, life began, upon this glistening gem,
Legend an’ myth became its own,
A people strong, loyal, an’ true, but on a whim,
Would kiss the “Blarney Stone.”
Superstition run amuck, with mermaid an’ leprechaun,
Bringin’ chaos upon this rock,
Christianity came to soothe the fears that spawn,
Saint Patrick came to tend his flock.
The patron Saint of Ireland was dear to one and all,
St. Patrick’s Day they celebrate,
Irishmen near an’ far and those who chose to call,
Wearin’ o’ the green so great!
St. Paddy’s Day, a time when all Irishmen quote,
“When all the earth t’was green,
Sippin’ a wee dab o’ whisky to cut his troat,
An’ ne’er the devil seen!”
An’ on this good day, all Irish stand tall an’ proud,
To boast of country true an’ bold,
Hold traditions high, raise a mug an’ sing out loud,
While Leprechauns hide their gold!
Hurrah! For the wearin’ o’ the green! Everyone is Irish on St. Paddy’s Day!
Pray for our Nation.
God Bless each of you and God Bless America!