The Legend Of The Shamrock

"Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!

Early in the morning

Our song shall rise to Thee;

Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!

God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!"

Shamrocks In Bloom

Long ago, when Ireland was the land of the Druids,

there was a great Bishop, Patrick by name,

who came to teach the Word of God throughout

the country...

Saint Patrick

385 AD - 461 AD 

 5th Christian Missionary and Bishop of Ireland

This saint, for indeed he was a saint, was well loved

everywhere he went. One day, however, a group of his followers

came to him and admitted that it was difficult for them to believe

in the doctrine of the Holy Trinity.

Saint Patrick reflected a moment and then, stooping down,

he plucked a leaf from a shamrock and held it before them, bidding

them to behold the living example of the "Three-In-One".

The simple beauty of this explanation convinced these skeptics,

and from that day the shamrock has been revered throughout Ireland.

Blue Flowering Shamrocks

"Holy! holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,

Casting down their golden crowns

Around the glassy sea;

Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,

Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.

Holy, holy, holy! though the darkness hide Thee,

Though the eye of sinful man

Thy glory may not see;

Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,

Perfect in power, in love and purity.

Holy, holy holy! Lord God Almighty!

All Thy works shall praise Thy name,

In earth, and sky, and sea;

Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!

God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!"

"Holy, Holy, Holy"

(1826)

Words by Reginald Heber

(1783-1826)

Heber wrote this song while he was Vicar of Hodnet

in Shropshire, England

Music by John B. Dykes

in Hymns Ancient and Modern

(1861)

"The Legend Of The Shamrock"

From the book, "Irish Blessings"

(1990)

Gramercy Books