The lyrics to The Foggy Dew tell the story of the Easter Rising in Ireland in 1916.
Foggy Dew
Irish feelings about the Easter Rising
Foggy Dew Videos
The singer laments that the outcome of the failed rebellion could have been so different if Irish soldiers had joined the nationalist cause instead of fighting and dying for Britain in the First World War.
The chords are given here in the key of D Minor, the key used by The Wolfe Tones who recorded one of the most popular versions of The Foggy Dew.
The Foggy Dew Lyrics and chords
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Right proudly high in Dublin town,they flung out the flag of war.
‘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 Britannia’s huns with their long range guns sailed in through the foggy dew.
Oh, the night fell black and the rifles’ crack made ‘Perfidious Abion’ reel
‘Mid 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 in the foggy dew.
‘Twas England bade our Wild Geese go that small Nations might be free,
But their lonely graves are by Suvla’s waves or the fringe of the great North Sea.
O, had they died by Pearse’s side, or had fought with Cathal Brugha,
Their names we’d keep where the Fenians sleep, ‘neath the shroud of the foggy dew.
But the bravest fell and the requiem bell rang mournfully and clear
For those who died that watertide in the springtime of the year,
While the world did gaze with deep amaze at those 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 and my heart with grief was sore,
For I parted then with valiant men whom I never shall see more.
But to and fro in my dreams I go and I’d kneel and pray for you
For slavery fled, O glorious dead, when you fell in the foggy dew.
Foggy Dew
Irish feelings about the Easter Rising
Foggy Dew Videos
Lyrics and Chords
Click through to our series of readable articles on the Easter Rising to find out more.
The Foggy Dew print version
Right proudly high in Dublin town, they flung out the flag of war
‘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 Britannia’s huns with their long range guns sailed in through the foggy dew
Oh, the night fell black and the rifles’ crack made ‘Perfidious Abion’ reel
‘Mid 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 in the foggy dew
‘Twas England bade our Wild Geese go that small Nations might be free
But their lonely graves are by Suvla’s waves or the fringe of the great North Sea
O, had they died by Pearse’s side, or had fought with Cathal Brugha
Their names we’d keep where the Fenians sleep, ‘neath the shroud of the foggy dew
But the bravest fell and the requiem bell rang mournfully and clear
For those who died that watertide in the springtime of the year
While the world did gaze with deep amazeat those 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 and my heart with grief was sore
For I parted then with valiant men whom I never shall see more
But to and fro in my dreams I go and I’d kneel and pray for you
For slavery fled, O glorious dead, when you fell in the foggy dew
Foggy Dew
Irish feelings about the Easter Rising
Foggy Dew Videos
Lyrics and Chords
Click through to our series of readable articles on the Easter Rising to find out more.
