Jackets Green facts for kids

This song tells the story of a soldier fighting under Patrick Sarsfield.

Jackets Green is a well-known Irish folk song. It was written by Michael Scanlan (1833–1917). The song is about an Irish woman and her true love. He is a soldier fighting in the Jacobite army. This army was led by Patrick Sarsfield during the Williamite War in Ireland. This war happened in the late 1600s.

Like many patriotic songs, Jackets Green mixes romance with history. For example, the song says Sarsfield's soldiers wore green uniforms. But in real life, the Irish Brigade actually wore red uniforms.

The Story Behind the Song

During the Williamite War in Ireland, French and Irish soldiers were fighting for King James II. They had to retreat to the city of Limerick. The French leader, Lauzun, didn't think Limerick could be defended. He even said it could be taken "with rotten apples." So, he left with his troops.

Sarsfield's Brave Raid

However, Patrick Sarsfield believed Limerick could be held. He learned that King William and his officers were waiting for their ammunition. Sarsfield led a daring raid to stop it. He rode with his men through the Silvermine Mountains.

One of Sarsfield's soldiers fell behind. He met a woman who was a Williamite soldier's wife. She told him the Williamite password was "Sarsfield." The Jacobites used this password to enter the enemy camp. Sarsfield himself shouted, "Sarsfield's the word, and Sarsfield's the man!"

They captured many wagons of supplies. This included 150 wagons of ammunition and about 30 cannons. They blew up all these supplies. This raid helped Limerick hold out against King William's army. King William eventually sailed back to England.

The Song's Hero

In the song, the hero is a soldier named Donal. He fights in Sarsfield's army. Sadly, Donal is killed during the siege of Limerick. The song encourages all Irish women to love only men who "wear the jackets green."

This idea of "jackets green" is a romantic part of the song. In reality, Sarsfield's Irish soldiers wore red uniforms. They saw themselves as the true British army. They supported the Catholic James Francis Edward Stuart. They did not support the Protestant William III.

Sarsfield's defense of Limerick is a very important part of Irish history. The song was written by Michael Scanlan. He was born in Limerick but moved to the United States. The song became popular among supporters of Irish independence. It is known as an "imaginative historical romance."