The Garden Where The Praties Grow

Album: Songs of Ireland (1875)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Written by the Irish entertainer Johnny Patterson, "The Garden Where The Praties Grow" is one of his best known songs. It has appeared in many collections of songs for schoolchildren in England, and was widely recorded throughout the 20th century.

    It remains to be seen if Patterson composed the melody in its entirety; at least two other songs use the same melody: "The Old Alarm Clock" and "The Sick Note." The first alarm clock dates to the 15th century.
  • "The Garden Where The Praties Grow" appears to be written from the perspective of a widower, but at the time he wrote it, Patterson's first wife, Selena Hickey, was very much alive. He is said to have written it in Liverpool, where he married her, and to have added an additional verse on June 1, 1875, shortly after the birth of his son. In the song, the narrator has two sons and a daughter; in reality he had two daughters and a son.
  • Although a garden full of praties may sound romantic, the word is actually Irish vernacular for potatoes! >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 3

Comments: 1

  • Shawn Smith from FloridaIt's a song which never failed to make both Maureen and I laugh, even at our advanced ages.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Boy Bands

Boy BandsFact or Fiction

From NKOTB to 1D, how well do you know your boy bands?

Jethro Tull

Jethro TullFact or Fiction

Stage urinals, flute devices, and the real Aqualung in this Fact or Fiction.

Roger McGuinn of The Byrds

Roger McGuinn of The ByrdsSongwriter Interviews

Roger reveals the songwriting formula Clive Davis told him, and if "Eight Miles High" is really about drugs.

Julian Lennon

Julian LennonSongwriter Interviews

Julian tells the stories behind his hits "Valotte" and "Too Late for Goodbyes," and fills us in on his many non-musical pursuits. Also: what MTV meant to his career.

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino EditionMusic Quiz

Whether he's splitting ears or burning Nazis, Quentin Tarantino uses memorable music in his films. See if you can match the song to the scene.

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s EditionMusic Quiz

You know the scenes - Tom Cruise in his own pants-off dance off, Molly Ringwald celebrating her birthday - but do you remember what song is playing?