The Foggy Dew

As 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, nor battle drum

Did sound its loud tatoo

But the angelus bells o'er the liffey swells

Rang out in the foggy dew



Right proudly high in Dublin town

Hung they 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.



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



As back through the glen I rode again

And my heart with me fell 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 kneel and pray for you

For slavery fled a glorious dead

When you fell in the foggy dew