They sent him to Ireland a prisoner was he .
Poor Patrick was in exile and no longer free .
An unwelcome stranger he was tied up in chains ,
amidst constant prayer in his purgatory of pains .
So God blessed poor Patrick and claimed him to be ,
The patron of Ireland who would set captives free .
Like a deer on the mountain Patrick walked each day ,
where he called for Gods help to drive his pain away .
The snakes on their bellies crawled around in their shame ,
hissing at the man who lit the holy paschal flame .
All of the snakes where cast out from Irish ground ,
to the dark stormy sea where the snakes had all drowned .
All the people said ,
Patrick tell us what we should do ,
we know we made you suffer but now we love you .
Help us to follow in the kindly light you see .
He climbed the high mountain and fell down on his knee .
He prayed hard each day for all the captives in chains .
now with St Patrick's help circumstances will change .
Bless all those at home who are still able to pray ,
May God bless the Irish on this St Patrick's day .

By Paul McCann