Masters of traditional Irish music, The Chieftains blended ancient Celtic sounds with global collaborations to become cultural ambassadors of Ireland.
Known as the Bard of Armagh, Tommy Makem was a legendary folk singer, poet, and storyteller who helped bring Irish ballads to the world stage.
The fiery-voiced frontman of The Dubliners, Luke Kelly, was a passionate balladeer whose performances embodied Ireland’s heart, soul, and protest spirit.
Rebel ballad icons, The Wolfe Tones, are famed for their patriotic songs and unwavering celebration of Irish identity and history.
About the Song
The Foggy Dew is a powerful Irish folk song commemorating the 1916 Easter Rising, a key moment in Ireland’s struggle for independence from British rule.
It tells the story of the brave Irish rebels who fought and died for their country, with vivid imagery of their sacrifice.
The song’s somber tone reflects both the sorrow of the loss and the sense of honor in their cause.
| Information | Released | Album | Writers | Producers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Chieftains’ | 1995 | The Long Black Veil | Charles O’Neill | Paddy Moloney |
| Tommy Makem | 1956 | Songs of Tommy Makem | Traditional | Various Traditional arrangements |
| Luke Kelly | 1976 | Alive-Alive-O: Live In Germany | Traditional | Earl Gill |
| The Wolfe Tones | 1965 | The Foggy Dew | Charles O’Neill & Carl Hardebeck | Various Traditional arrangements |
The Foggy Dew Lyrics by The Chieftains
Verse 1
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 no battle drum did sound its loud tattoo
But the Angelus Bell o’er the Liffey’s swells rang out in the foggy dew
Verse 2
Right proudly high in Dublin Town hung they out a 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
Verse 3
‘Twas England bade our wild geese go, that small nations might be free
Their lonely graves are by Suvla’s waves or the fringe of the great North Sea
Oh, had they died by Pearse’s side or fought with Cathal Brugha
Their names we’d keep where the Fenians sleep, ‘neath the shroud of the foggy dew
Verse 4
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
Verse 5
And back through the glen I rode again, my heart with grief was sore
For I parted then with valiant men whom I shall never see n’more
But to and fro in my dreams I go and I kneel and pray for you
For slavery fled, O glorious dead, when you fell in the foggy dew
But had they died by Pearse’s side
Or fought with Cathal Brugha
Their names we would keep where the Fenians sleep
‘Neath the shroud of the foggy dew
The Foggy Dew Lyrics by Tommy Makem
It was down the glen one Easter morn, to a city fair rode I
There Ireland’s lines of marching men, in squadron passed me by
No pipes did hum or no battle drum did sound its dread tattoo
But, the Angelus bell o’er the Liffey swell, rang out in the Foggy Dew
Right proudly high over Dublin town, they hung out the flag of war
For, ’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 Brittania’s sons with their long range guns, sailed in by the Foggy Dew
‘Twas England bade our wild geese go that small nations might be free
But, their lonely graves are by Suvla’s waves on the fringe of the grey North Sea
Oh, had they died by Pearse’s side, or fought with Valera true
Their graves we’d keep where the Fenians sleep, ‘neath the hills of the Foggy Dew
The bravest fell and the sullen bell rang mournfully and clear
For those who died that Easter tide in the springing of the year
And the world did gaze in deep amaze at those fearless men and true
Who bore the fight that freedom’s light might shine through the Foggy Dew
The Foggy Dew Lyrics By Luke Kelly
As down the glen one Easter morn
To a city fair rode I
Where armed line of marching men
In squadrons passed me by
No pipes did hum, nor battle drum
Did sound its dread tattoo
But the Angelus bell o’er the Liffey’s swell
Rang out through the foggy dew
Right proudly high over Dublin town
They hung out a 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 Brittania’s huns with their long range guns
Sailed in through the foggy dew
‘Twas Brittania bade our wild geese go
That small nations might be free
But their lonely graves are by Suvla’s waves
Or the shore of the gray North Sea
But had they died by Pearse’s side
Or fought with Cathal Brugha
Their names we would keep where the Fenians sleep
‘Neath the shroud of the foggy dew
The bravest fell, and the solemn bell
Rang mournfully and clear
For those who died that Easter tide
In the springing of the year
And the world did gaze in deep amaze
At those fearless men, but few
Who bore the fight that freedom’s light
Might shine through the foggy dew
The Foggy Dew Lyrics By The Wolfe Tones
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, no battle drum
Did sounds its loud tattoo
But the Angelus Bell o’er the Liffey swell
Rang out in the foggy dew
Right proudly high in Dublin town
They flung out a 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 great big guns
Sailed in through the foggy dew
Oh, the night fell black and the riflеs’ crack
Made “Perfidious Albion” reel
‘Neath thе leaden rain, seven tongues of flame
Did shine o’er the lines of steel
By each shining blade a prayer was said
That to Ireland her sons be true
And when morning broke still the war flag shook
Out its folds in the foggy dew
Oh, the bravest fell and the requiem bell
Rang mournfully and clear
For those who died at Eastertide
In the springtime of the year
While the world did gaze with deep amaze
At those fearless men but few
Who bore the fight that the freedom’s light
Might shine through the foggy dew
Back through the glen I rode again
My heart with grief was sore
For I parted with those gallant men
Who I’ll never see no more
But to and fro in my dreams I go
And I kneel and pray for you
For slavery fled, O glorious dead
When you fell in the foggy dew
Similar Songs Like The Foggy Dew
If you enjoy The Foggy Dew, you might appreciate these similar songs, which also reflect Irish history, nationalism, and the spirit of rebellion:
- Four Green Fields: It is a well-known song by Tommy Makem, a stirring allegory of Ireland’s provinces and the British occupation.
- Grace: By Wolfe Tones, a heartbreaking ballad about love and loss during the 1916 Easter Rising.
- Boil the Breakfast Early: By Chieftains, it is a lively medley of reels showcasing masterful traditional instrumentation.
- Whiskey In The Jar: A lively folk tale of betrayal and bravado by Luke Kelly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Significance of The Foggy Dew?
The song holds historical significance as it honors the Irish rebels who fought in the 1916 Easter Rising, a pivotal moment in Ireland’s fight for independence. It is also a symbol of Irish spirit and resilience.
What are the Themes of The Foggy Dew?
The song reflects themes of sacrifice, patriotism, and the Irish struggle for independence. It also honors the bravery and loss of life during the 1916 Easter Rising.
Is The Foggy Dew Still Popular Today?
Yes, The Foggy Dew remains a popular and powerful anthem in Irish culture and is frequently performed by artists, especially around the anniversary of the Easter Rising or other significant Irish events.
