The Tri Coloured Ribbon Lyrics
The Wolfe TonesMusic Video
Tri Coloured Ribbon
I had a true love if ever a girl had one
I had a true love a brave lad was he
One fine Easter Monday with his gallant comrades
He started away for to make Ireland free
For all around my hat I wear a tri-coloured ribbon, oh
All around my hat until death comes to me
And if anybody's asking me why do I wear it
It's all for my own true love I never more will see
He whispered "Goodbye love, old Ireland is calling
High over Dublin our Tri-colour flies
In the streets of the city the foe man is falling
And wee birds are whistling "Old Ireland arise"
For all around my hat I wear a tri-coloured ribbon, oh
All around my hat until death comes to me
And if anybody's asking me why do I wear it
It's all for my own true love I never more will see
In praying and watching the dark hours passed over
The roar of the guns brought no message to me
I prayed for Old Ireland, I prayed for my lover
That he might be safe and Old Ireland be free
For all around my hat I wear a tri-coloured ribbon, oh
All around my hat until death comes to me
And if anybody's asking me why do I wear it
It's all for my own true love I never more will see
The struggle was ended, they brought me the story
The last whispered message he sent unto me
"I was true to my land, love, I fought for her glory
And gave up my life for to make Ireland free"
For all around my hat I wear a tri-coloured ribbon, oh
All around my hat until death comes to me
And if anybody's asking me why do I wear it
It's all for my own true love I never more will see
Song Details
🎶 Music & Lyrics: Traditional
Early 19th century song of English origins named All Around My Hat - sometimes referred to as Green Willow.
This version of the song is an adaptation by Peadar Kearney - Irish Republican and composer of many rebel songs.
📝 Song Brief: In this version, a young republican woman vows to wear the Irish tricolour in her hat for the rest of her life, honouring the lover she lost during the Easter Rising of 1916. The song follows her grief and steadfast pride as she recalls his final farewell, his devotion to Ireland, and the message he sent before dying for the cause.
🇮🇪 The Significance of the Tricoloured Ribbon in Irish History
1. A miniature form of the Irish flag
The ribbon uses the colours of the Irish tricolour — green, white, and orange — which were first introduced in 1848 and later became the national flag of the Irish Free State.
Wearing the ribbon was a discreet way to show allegiance when displaying a full flag was dangerous or forbidden.
2. A symbol of unity and hope
The colours themselves carry meaning:
- Green — Irish nationalism
- Orange — the Protestant community
- White — the hope for peace between them
3. A mark of remembrance
During the Easter Rising (1916) and the War of Independence, women often wore tricolour ribbons to honour loved ones who were fighting — or who had died — for the cause.
It became a quiet, personal act of mourning and pride.
4. A sign of political allegiance
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, wearing the tricolour could identify someone as a supporter of:
- Irish republicanism
- Home Rule
- The Volunteers
- Sinn Féin
- The Rising and its ideals
🍀 Genre: Irish Rebel Song
👥 Covers: Antoinette Cruise, Her Pillow, Peg Clancy Power, Derek Warfield, Turas, Mary Larkin.
🎤 Featured Artists: The Wolfe Tones
📀 Album Up the Rebels
Released: 1971
Country: Ireland
Format: 12" Vinyl, Reissue,
Label: Dolphin Records
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