The Man In Green Poem by Daniel McDonagh

Well, you wonder why
I always wear the green,
The colours of the world’s
Finest football team,

You will never see me wear the colours
Of royal or navy blue,
As I’m a Celtic supporter,
Faithful through and through.

I wear the green for my ancestors,
Who came from Ireland, long ago,
Who left Erin’s shores and settled
In the town of Glasgow,

I wear it for the Irish Diaspora,
Who fled the famine and the crown,
I wear from Brother Walfrid
Who sheltered the poor in the east end of town.

I wear the emerald green
In memory of my father,
Garngad born,
A faithful Celtic supporter,

He walked the path to heaven,
Over ten years ago,
As he stands with Our Lord
Wearing his green, white and gold.

I wear the green for the Celtic legends,
Who have left our lives,
Knowing that they entered heaven
With Our Lord on their side,

I wear it for Willie Maley, Jock Stein
And young John Thomson,
I wear it for Bobby Murdoch, Johnny Doyle
And wee Jimmy Johnstone.

I wear the colours of Celtic,
Each and every day,
I pray for the bhoys of Parkhead each night,
And to God, I do say,

Why do all the Orangemen,
All hate the sight of green?
For green’s the finest colour
That the world has ever seen.

March’29th 2006