[Verse 1] They came from Galway and Dublin docks, With nothing but a song in their chest. Dreams of work in factories, mills, and steel, A city of hope and unrest. Winter winds cut through tenement streets, But the stories stayed alive. Hands in the grime, hearts full of faith, They swore Chicago would survive. [Verse 2] Now every March the river flows, Under bridges, past the streets. And the city remembers all their names, In the water, it repeats. A splash of dye, a ribbon of green, Boats drift under the gray skyline. Crowds line the banks, kids wave flags, And the music crosses time. [Chorus] Ride down, ride down the green river, Where the ghosts of our fathers stand tall. From the old country to the Windy City, We hear their laughter in the call. Ride down, ride down the green river, Through the wind and the marching parade. The Chicago River runs bright and emerald, For the lives our ancestors made. [Bridge] From Ellis Island to Michigan Avenue, They carried more than just their name. Songs of longing, songs of courage, Burning bright like a flame. And when the bagpipes echo over the crowd, And the drums roll under the sky, We see them dancing, we feel them near, Irish hearts that never die. [Verse 3] So pour the whiskey, lift the glass, For the hands that built this town. The river turns, the banners wave, And their spirit won’t drown. From Clark Street down to the Navy Pier, Through the city’s pulse and cheer, We ride again with the green river, Feeling history crystal clear. [Chorus / Outro] Ride down, ride down the green river, Where the ghosts of our fathers stand tall. From the old country to the Windy City, We hear their laughter in the call. Ride down, ride down the green river, Through the wind and the marching parade. The Chicago River runs bright and emerald, For the lives our ancestors made.
