The Rising Of The Moon

 

The Rising Of The Moon

“O then, tell me Sean O’Farrell,
tell me why you hurry so?”
“Hush a bhuachaill, hush and listen”
And his cheeks were all aglow
“I bear orders from the Capt’n
Get you ready quick and soon
For the pikes must be together
At the rising of the moon”
By the rising of the moon,
By the rising of the moon
For the pikes must be together
At the rising of the moon”

“O then tell me Sean O’Farrell
Where the gath’rin is to be?
In the old spot by the river,
Well known to you and me.
One more word for signal token,
Whistle up the marchin’ tune,
With your pike upon your shoulder,
By the rising of the moon.
By the rising of the moon,
By the rising of the moon
With your pike upon your shoulder,
By the rising of the moon.

Out from many a mud wall cabin
Eyes were watching through the night,
Many a manly heart was beating,
For the blessed morning light.
Murmurs ran along the valleys,
To the banshee’s lonely croon
And a thousand pikes were flashing,
At the rising of the moon.
By the rising of the moon,
By the rising of the moon
And a thousand pikes were flashing,
At the rising of the moon.

There beside the singing river
That black mass of men were seen,
High above their shining weapons,
flew their own beloved green.
“Death to every foe and traitor!
Forward! Strike the marching tune.
And hurrah my boy for freedom;
‘Tis the rising of the moon”.
By the rising of the moon,
By the rising of the moon
And hurrah my boy for freedom;
‘Tis the rising of the moon”.

Well they fought for poor old Ireland,
And full bitter was their fate,
Oh what glorious pride and sorrow,
Fills the name of ninety-eight!
Yet, thank God, e’en still are beating
Hearts in manhood burning noon,
Who would follow in their footsteps,
At the rising of the moon
By the rising of the moon,
By the rising of the moon
Who would follow in their footsteps,
At the rising of the moon.