Lyrics

I was down the glen one Easter morn
To a city fair rode I
There armed lines of marching men
In squadrons passed me by
No pipe did hum, no battle drum did sound it’s loud tattoo
But the Angelus Bells o’er the Liffey swells rang out in the foggy dew
Right proudly high in Dublin town Hung they out a flag of war
‘Twas better to die ‘neath that Irish sky
Than at Sulva 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

Their bravest fell and the requiem bell
Rang mournfully and clear
For those who died that Eastertide in the Springing 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

And 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 n’more
But to and fro in my dreams I go
And I kneel and pray for you
For slavery fled the glorious dead
When you fell in the foggy dew

 

Appears on

The Long Black Veil (by The Chieftains / 1995)

 

Versions

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Compilations

Credits

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Collaborations

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Trivia/Notes

– On the studio version the Chieftains perform this ballad with Sinead O’Conner. Sarah did the guest vocals live on this song.

 

Sarah says

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Video

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