John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.
10429 Appendix John Bartlett
| NUMBER: | 10429 |
| AUTHOR: | Appendix |
| QUOTATION: | Emerald Isle. |
| ATTRIBUTION: | Dr. William Drennan (1754–1820) says this expression was first used in a party song called “Erin, to her own Tune,” written in 1795. The song appears to have been anonymous. |