Foggy Dew

“Foggy Dew” Performed by Marc Gunn From CD: Happy Songs of Death Buy MP3: Amazon or iTunes Words Canon Charles O’Neill, music Traditional ‘Twas down the glen one Easter morn To a city fair rode I. When armed line of marching men In squadrons passed me by. No pipes did hum, no battle drum Did sound their loud tattoo But the Angelus bell o’er the Liffey’s swell Rang out through the foggy dew. Right proudly high over Dublin town They hung out the flag of war. For ‘Twas better to die ‘neath an Irish sky Than at Suvla or Sud el Bar. And from the plains of Royal Meath Strong men came hurrying through; While Brittania’s huns with their long range guns Sailed in through the foggy dew. O’ the night fell black and the rifles’ crack Made “Perfidious Abion” reel Midst the leaden rail, seven tongues of flame Did shine o’er the lines of steel. By each shining blade a prayer was said That to Ireland her sons be true, And when morning broke still the war flag shook Out its fold ‘neath the foggy dew ‘Twas England bade our wild geese go That small nations might be free. And their lonely graves are by Suvla’s waves On the fringe of the great North Sea. Oh had they died by Pearse’s side Or fought with Cathal Brugha, Ah their names we’d keep where the Fenians sleep ‘Neath the shroud of the foggy dew. The bravest fell, and the requiem bell Rang mournfully and clear For those who died that Watertide In the springing of the year. The world did gaze with deep amaze At fearless men, but few Who bore the fight that freedom’s light Might shine through the foggy dew. Ah, back through the glen I rode again Myy heart with grief was sore For I parted then with valiant men Whom I never shall see no more. And to and fro through dreams I’ll go I’ll kneel and I’ll pray for you, For slavery fled, O the glorious dead, When you fell ‘neath the foggy dew. Key Am verse: Am G C Am-C-Am Am G C Am-C-Am C G C Am-C-Am Am G C Am-C-Am