An Irish Blessing

On this St. Patrick’s Day, I looked upon the blessings written, and I saw this one  and remember I sang that often as a child.  I think Bing Crosby recorded it. And when I sang it, I really prayed that it was the blessing that would befall our house, my parents, brothers, and all the joyous and hard times we shared.

Bless This House

Bless this house, o Lord, we pray.
Make it safe by night and day.
Bless these walls so firm and stout,
Keeping want and trouble out.
Bless the roof and chimney tall,
Let thy peace lie over all.
Bless the doors that they may prove
Ever open to joy and love.
Bless the windows shining bright,
Letting in God’s heavenly light.
Bless the hearth a-blazing there,
With smoke ascending like a prayer.
Bless the people here within…
Keep them pure and free from sin.
Bless us all, that one day, we
May be fit, O lord, to dwell with Thee.

So today,  I’ve played a few Irish songs on my piano, remembered my dad’s tenor voice crooning Toora Loora Loora, and others. I’ve remembered the age old photograph books I looked at all the time of my father in his younger times, and a proud, lookin’ Irish-man was he with just enough blarney to keep the blaze going.

Dad was proud of his Irishness – and his black curly locks and wide grin and sometimes a white straw hat, with suspender-held black pants made him a perfect fit for movie stock.

When I was married and he and mom visited us in Kentucky, we took them to the movie, Sting, and my how he enjoyed that, especially Robert Redford’s character, recognizing the risk-taker in himself.   He enjoyed the backyard Chicago scenes too, as he himself traversed them as a young semi-truck hauler, knowing he’d been next to danger more than once.

Dad had both the Irish charm but also, alas the temper, and we kids had to figure our way around that one.

So today, as dad said, “Everyone’s Irish,” and I celebrate it again with the blessing I hope befalls all of us through the generations of red-headed daughters and granddaughters.

Keep us safe, by night and day.

I’ll Take You Home Again, Kathleen!

Young Devon

Missed the Irish red hair, but it’s long & curly on both!
Laura & Amy

and an Israelite?
Andrew as Judah in  — Joseph & AmazingTechnicolor Dreamcoat