Wolfe Tones - The wearing of the green lyrics

Oh! Paddy, dear, and did you hear The news that's going round The shamrock is forbid by law To grow on Irish ground Saint Patrick's Day no more we'll keep His color can't be seen For they're hanging men and women The wearing of the green I met with Napper Tandy And he took me by the hand And he said "How's poor old Ireland? And how does she stand?" She's the most distressful country That ever you have seen They're hanging men and women For wearing of the green Then since the color we must wear Is England's cruel red Sure Ireland's sons will n'er forget The blood that they have shed You may take the shamrock from your hat And cast it on the sod But 'twill take root and flourish still Tho' underfoot 'tis trod