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 captain, get you ready quick and soon,

For the pikes must be together at the rising of the moon.”

 

At the rising of the moon,

At 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 gathering is to be?

“In the old spot by the river, right well known to you and me.

One more word for signal token, whistle up the marching tune,

With your pike upon your shoulder, at the rising of the moon.

 

At the rising of the moon,

At the rising of the moon,

With your pike upon your shoulder

At 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 warning light.

Murmurs ran along the valleys, like the banshee’s lonely croon,

And a thousand pikes were flashing, by the rising of the moon.

 

By the rising of the moon,

By the rising of the moon,

And a thousand pikes were flashing

By the rising of the moon.”

 

There beside the singing river, that dark mass of men were seen,

And high above their shining weapons flew their own beloved green.

“Death to every foe and traitor! Forward! Strike the marching tune,

And hurrah my boys, for freedom, ’tis the rising of the moon”.

 

’Tis the rising of the moon,

’Tis the rising of the moon

And hurrah my boys for freedom,

’Tis the rising of the moon.



Note:  A shorter version might skip the second verse and
shorter still the third verse as well.