The Three Ps. - The Pratie, The Pig And Poteen

By A. H. Laidlaw

    'Tis daily this baste     Will prosade to the fayste,     The best that Ould Oireland has seen;     The P's are but three,     But they're plenty for me, -     The Pratie, the Pig, the Poteen.     The Pratie, in place,     Has an iligant face,     That my mouth opens wide to let in,     But, like Widow Machree,     He's so glad to see me,     That he laughs himself out of his shkin.     He's so round and so square,     As he laughs at me there,     That he looks loike my brother, I ween;     Then I put him to cool     On the top of a shtool,     Till I take a wee drop of Poteen.     Then I put him to cool     On the top of a shtool,     Till I take a wee drop of Poteen.     But gourmands, ahoy!     The Pig is the Boy!     Indade he's the girl to my taste;     The form is so nate,     The lip is so swate,     That I kape her quite close to my waist.     But no cannibal I,     When I look in her eye,     The loikes to my sister is seen;     So I piously pause     In the work of my jaws,     Till I take a wee drop of Poteen.     So I piously pause     In the work of my jaws,     Till I take a wee drop of Poteen.     Lave the Pratie to cool     On the top of the shtool,     While we master this question of shtate,     Shall I ate? Shall I swig?     Musht Poteen or the Pig     Be the first or the last on my plate?     Now my grandfather's ghost     Appears at this post,     So solemn, so awful in mien,     To assist and debate     This question of shtate     On the subject of Pork and Poteen.     So he called for his mug,     And I gave him the jug,     Which he placed at his delicate mouth,     And he drank it all down,     Down, down, Derry down,     He had such a terrible drouth.     Then, with jug held on high,     And Poteen in his eye,     He says - this good ghost says to me:     "Hist! Hist! Patrick, hist!     And hould ye your whist     While I shpake out this Scripture to thee.     'Tis Hibernian Law     That, for Oireland's ould jaw,     If, at pig-faystes, you ate, shpake or swig,     If you have a great mind,     You surely will find     The Poteen's the best part of the Pig.     'Tis Hibernian Law     That, for Oireland's ould jaw,     If, at pig-faystes, you ate, shpake or swig,     If you have a great mind,     You surely will find     The Poteen's the best part of the Pig."     So, since that great day, -     Or that night I may say, -     I cook nothing else for to ate;     By the hole o' my coat,     It bates Houlahan's goat     In putting Pat off of his fate.     So, for Erin go bragh,     'Tis both Gospel and Law     For to ate, or to shpake or to swig,     If you have a great mind,     You surely will find     The Poteen's the best part of the pig!     The Poteen's the best part of the pig!

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Analysis & Notes:
This poem is steeped in the essence of Irish culture, employing the use of humor, Irish dialect, and familiar cultural symbols to create a vivid narrative. The three P's - the Pratie (potato), Pig, and Poteen (a type of Irish moonshine) - form a core thematic trio, representing the sustenance and simple pleasures of life in Ould Oireland.

The structure of the poem alternates between sections of narrative and repeated refrains, creating a rhythm that feels akin to a catchy, folksy song. This musicality enhances the jovial, storytelling nature of the poem. Notably, the poet utilizes a playful tone, inviting the reader into the debate over which of the three P's is most essential.

The language is rich with Irish dialect, a unique literary device that lends authenticity and charm. The humor is another crucial element, effectively diffusing the debate's potential seriousness and further cementing the poem's lighthearted nature.

The poem is essentially a tribute to the Irish spirit - resilient, jovial, and unpretentious. It celebrates the simple, everyday elements that constitute the essence of Irish life, offering a toast to the "Poteen's the best part of the Pig," a metaphor for appreciating life's simple pleasures.

Understanding Ballads

A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music, that has been a cornerstone of storytelling across various cultures. Traditionally passed down orally, ballads are known for their rhythmic structure and often tell tales of love, adventure, and heroism.


Ballads are characterized by their strong rhythm and repetition, making them both memorable and engaging. Here are some defining features:

  • Narrative Structure: Ballads typically tell a story, often a dramatic or emotional tale that unfolds in a straightforward, chronological order.
  • Quatrain Stanzas: Most ballads are composed of quatrains (four-line stanzas) with a rhyme scheme of ABAB or ABCB, which adds to the musicality of the verse.
  • Repetition: Refrains or repeated lines are common in ballads, helping to emphasize key themes or emotions and making the ballad easier to remember.
  • Oral Tradition: Many ballads originated from oral traditions, which means they were passed down through generations by word of mouth before being written down.

From medieval minstrels to contemporary songwriters, ballads have continued to evolve, remaining a beloved form of expression that captures the human experience in a way that is both poetic and accessible.