Patrick Greene, known to friends as Paddy, was born in Harbour Island in 1931. He was the son of Richard and Mary. Paddy moved to Freshwater with his family in 1966. He married Eva Hann from Port Royal. Paddy sang many of the old Irish songs but he also wrote his own, influenced by the country, bluegrass and religious music of the day.
Patrick Greene's Songs
The Burglar Under the Bed. A comic song of a robber captured by an old maid who demands he marry her. He learned the song while whaling in Hawkes Harbour.
The Dance on Peter Street. A song of a drunken night and a valuable lesson learned that he got from his father.
Fare Thee Well My Own True Love. A man sails off, leaves his sweetheart and dies. Learned from a recording when he was 11.
Those Wedding Bells Shall Not Ring Out. A very old song of love, betrayal and death.
Collected by Eric West in 1978.
Hear whole songs at: www.mun.ca/voicesofplacentiabay
Hear whole songs at: www.mun.ca/voicesofplacentiabay