Foggy Dew
Easter Rebellion: Echoes of Sacrifice in the Foggy Dew
Lyrics
As down the glen one Easter morn to a city fair rode I
Describes the narrator's journey down the glen on Easter morning towards a city fair.
Their Armed lines of marching men in squadrons passed me by
Observes armed lines of marching men passing by in military formation.
No pipes did hum, no battle drum did sound its loud tattoo
Notes the absence of traditional musical instruments and battle sounds, replaced by the Angelus Bell over the Liffey River.
But the Angelus Bell over the Liffey's swell rang out in the foggy dew
The Angelus Bell rings as a symbolic and solemn moment in the midst of foggy surroundings.
Right proudly high over Dublin Town they hung out the flag of war
Highlights the pride in hanging the flag of war over Dublin Town.
'Twas better to die 'neath an Irish sky than at Suvla or Sud-El-Bar
Expresses a preference to die under an Irish sky than in foreign battles like Suvla or Sud-El-Bar.
And from the plains of Royal Meath strong men came hurrying through
Describes strong men from Royal Meath rushing to join the cause.
While Britannia's Huns, with their long range guns sailed in through the foggy dew
Mentions the entry of Britannia's Huns with long-range guns through the foggy atmosphere.
'Twas England bade our Wild Geese go, that "small nations might be free"
Attributes the departure of Wild Geese to England's call for the freedom of small nations.
Their lonely graves are by Suvla's waves on the fringe of the great North Sea
Notes the lonely graves of the fallen by Suvla's waves on the fringe of the North Sea.
Oh, had they died by Pearse's side or fought with Cathal Brugha
Reflects on the alternate fate if the fallen had fought alongside leaders like Pearse or Cathal Brugha.
Their names we will keep where the Fenians sleep, 'neath the shroud of the foggy dew
Promises to honor their names where the Fenians rest beneath the shroud of the foggy dew.
Oh the bravest fell, and the Requiem bell rang mournfully and clear
Mourns the bravest who fell with the Requiem bell tolling solemnly.
For those who died that Eastertide in the spring time of the year
Recalls those who died during Easter in the springtime, a time of sacrifice.
While the world did gaze in deep amaze at those fearless men but few
Highlights the world's astonishment at the courage of the few fearless men.
Who bore the fight that the freedom's light might shine through the foggy dew
Commends those who fought for freedom, ensuring its light shines through the foggy dew.
As back through the glen I rode again and my heart with grief was sore
Expresses sorrow as the narrator rides back through the glen, parting with valiant men.
For I parted with those valiant men that I’ll never see more
Conveys the permanent separation from the courageous individuals, creating a sense of loss.
But to and fro in my dreams I go and I kneel and pray for you
Shares the narrator's recurring dreams, kneeling and praying for the fallen.
For slavery fled, oh glorious dead, when you fell in the foggy dew
Celebrates the end of slavery and honors the glorious dead who fell in the foggy dew.
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