The Foggy Dew
Band of Shysters Lyrics

'Twas down the glen one Easter morn to a city fair rode I.
I once traveled down a valley on Easter morning towards a bustling city.

There armed lines of marching men in squadrons passed me by
As I traveled, I saw groups of armed soldiers passing by me in formation.

No fife did hum nor battle drum did sound it's dread tattoo
Despite the presence of soldiers, there were no musical instruments played, signaling that this was not a typical battle.

But the Angelus bell o'er the Liffey swell rang out through the foggy dew
Instead, the sound of the Angelus bell ringing out over the Liffey River was heard through the foggy morning air.

Right proudly high over Dublin Town they hung out the flag of war
Above Dublin Town, the flag of war was displayed with great pride.

'Twas better to die 'neath an Irish sky than at Suvla or Sud El Bar
Dying beneath the sky of Ireland was considered preferable to dying in places like Suvla or Sud El Bar during this time of war.

And from the plains of Royal Meath strong men came hurrying through
Strong men from the plains of Royal Meath were seen hurrying to join the war effort.

While Britannia's Huns, with their long range guns sailed in through the foggy dew
At the same time, the enemy from Britannia sailed through the fog towards them with their long-range guns.

O' the night fell black and the rifles' crack Made 'Perfidious Albion' reel.
As night fell, the sound of rifle fire filled the air, causing 'Perfidious Albion' to shudder.

'Neath the leaden rail, seven tongues of flame Did shine o'er the lines of steel.
Seven bright lights could be seen flickering over the steel lines, amid the sound of gunfire.

By each shining blade a prayer was said That to Ireland her sons be true,
As each soldier wielded their sword, they said a prayer requesting that their fellow Irishmen stay true to their country.

And when morning broke still the war flag shook Out its fold in the foggy dew
Despite the night's events, the war flag still flew high in the misty morning air.

'Twas Britannia bade our Wild Geese go that small nations might be free
The soldiers were called to war by Britannia, in a quest for freedom for smaller nations.

But their lonely graves are by Suvla's waves or the shore of the Great North Sea
Sadly, many of these soldiers' graves lie in lonely places, such as near the shore of the Great North Sea, or Suvla.

Oh, had they died by Pearse's side or fought with Cathal Brugha
The writer ponders how different things might have been for these soldiers if they had fought beside Pearse or Cathal Brugha rather than dying alone.

Their names we will keep where the fenians sleep 'neath the shroud of the foggy dew
Regardless, their names will be remembered with the other fenians who have died, resting beneath the shroud of the foggy dew.

But the bravest fell, and the requiem bell rang mournfully and clear
Sadly, the bravest soldiers died, and the sound of the requiem bell filled the air with grief.

For those who died that Eastertide in the springing of the year
These soldiers who perished did so during Eastertide, the season of renewal and new beginnings.

And the world did gaze, in deep amaze, at those fearless men, but few
Despite the small number of soldiers fighting in this battle, the world was impressed by their bravery and courage.

Who bore the fight that freedom's light might shine through the foggy dew
These soldiers were willing to fight so that freedom could be achieved and hope could shine over the foggy morning.

Ah, back through the glen I rode again and my heart with grief was sore
The writer passes back through the valley on his trip home, feeling a great sense of sadness and despair.

For I parted then with valiant men whom I never shall see more
The writer had to say goodbye to fearless soldiers, knowing he would never see them again.

But to and fro in my dreams I go and I'd kneel and pray for you,
In his dreams, the writer often kneels to pray for these courageous soldiers.

For slavery fled, O glorious dead, When you fell in the foggy dew.
The writer recognizes that these soldiers died in order for freedom to prevails, making them and their sacrifice nothing short of glorious and heroic.