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RISING OF THE MOON        (by John Keegan Casey)
 

C                                           G                         
"Oh then, tell me, Sean O'Farrell, tell me why d’you hurry so?"

  F                      C                G                C
"Hush me bhuachail, hush and listen," and his face was all aglow

C                                            G                             
"I bear orders from the captain, get you ready quick and soon

      F                     C                        G             C        
With your pike upon your shoulder for the rising of the moon"

Chorus

         C                                  G                        

At the rising of the moon, at the rising of the moon,

        F                        C            G               C         

The pikes must be together at the rising of the moon.

"Oh then, tell me, Sean O'Farrell, where the gatherin' is to be?"
"Near the old spot by the river, right well known to you and me"
"One more thing, the signal token?" "Whistle up the marching tune
For our pikes must be together by the rising of the moon"

Chorus

Out from many a mud-walled cabin, eyes were watchin' through the night
Many a manly heart was beating for the blessed morning light
Murmurs passed along the river, like the banshee's mournful croon
And a thousand pikes were flashing by the rising of the moon

Chorus

All along the shining river one black mass of men was seen
And above them in the night wind floated our immortal green
Death to every foe and traitor. Onward, strike the marching tune
And hurrah me boys for freedom, ‘tis the rising of the moon

Chorus

Well they fought for dear old Ireland, and full bitter was their fate,
Oh what glorious pride and sorrow fills the name of ninety-eight.
Yet thank God there’s still the beating hearts in mankind's burning noon,
Who will follow in their footsteps, at the rising of the moon.

Chorus

Chorus  

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The tune is 'the wearing of the green', though originally another tune was used. The author himself was imprisoned at the age of twenty, but died in prison as a result of brutal treatment. The song commemerates the Rising of 1798. The United Irishmen, a republican revolutionary group led by Wolfe Tone, and influenced by the ideas of the American and French Revolutions, were the main organizing force behind the rebellion, which lasted several months, and even involved landings by 1,000 French troops. Atrocities were perpetrated by both sides, but finally British military might defeated the rebels, as the navy prevented the landing of further French troops with Wolfe Tone.