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What is an Irishman?

By Pat Gallinagh

It's not shamrocks nor shillelaghs that makes the Irish true
Nor clay pipes or leprechauns or Galway Bay so blue
It's their boundless sense of humor and their warm and gentle smiles
It's their trust in human kindness as naïve as a young child's

It's their hatred of oppression and compassion for the weak
It's their love of family, faith and country and words which with we speak
It's a sea of wild emotions, lots of tears and laughter too
And yes, an Irish temper that can explode without a clue

It's a Celtic love of combat and the will to work til dark
Tis the courage to face misfortune and the strength of one's own heart
It's their gift for song and poetry and music for our ears
It's their pride in Ireland's history and it's folklore thru the years

It's a spirit not a costume that makes the Irish proud
That crosses continents and oceans and mountains tall and loud
It's a feeling that words and pictures cannot too well relate
And for those who are not Irish can only hope to emulate

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