PP&M Song of the Day: The Rising of the Moon
The Rising of the Moon
Traditional - adapted & arranged by Peter Yarrow, Paul Stookey, Mary Travers and Milton Okun
Seeing as how it is St. Patrick's Day, I guess that one of Peter, Paul and Mary's Irish songs would be appropriate. There is no PP&M Irish song that I love more than this one, The Rising of the Moon.
It is a traditional song that was written about the Irish Rebellion of 1798, AKA United Irishmen Rebellion (Gaelic: Éirí Amach na nÉireannach Aontaithe). According to Wikipedia, the rebellion was a 1798 uprising against the British rule that'd had a stranglehold on Ireland since the end of the Williamite War in 1691.
The Society of United Irishmen was formed by a group of Protestant liberals in Belfast in 1791. The membership was mixed, however. Per Wikipedia, they were "Roman Catholics, Presbyterians, Methodists, other Protestant 'dissenters' groups, and some from the Protestant Ascendancy." The group was inspired by the American and French revolutions, but when Louis XVI was executed in France in 1793, they were forced underground. Their main goal was to disconnect from England and their initial plan was to take Dublin, but they were thwarted by British loyalists the British Army. The revolution failed. (Read more on Wikiwand)
Anyway, this ballad was born out of that 1798 rebellion. It has been in circulation in the realm of traditional folk music since at least 1865. The earliest publication date of the song was in 1867. Like many other traditional folk songs, there have been many different versions of this ballad over the years. This version that PP&M recorded for their 1965 studio album, See What Tomorrow Brings, is just one.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
The Rising of the Moon Traditional - adapted & arranged by Peter Yarrow, Paul Stookey, Mary Travers and Milton Okun
Ah then tell me Sean O'Farrell Tell me why you hurry, so. Hush my boy now hush and listen And his eyes were all aglow.
I bear orders from the captain Get ye ready quick and soon For the pikes must be together At the rising of the moon.
Ah then tell me Sean O'Farrell Where the gatherin' is to be In the old spot by the river Right well known by you and me.
One word more, a signal token Whistle of the marchin' tune With your pike upon your shoulder At the rising of the moon.
There beside the singing river That dark mass of men were seen Far above their shining weapons On their own immortal ring.
Death to every foe and traitor Forward strike the marchin' tune And hurrah my boys, for freedom! Tis the rising of the moon.
How well they fought for poor old Ireland And full bitter, was their fate Oh what glorious pride and sorrow Fills the name of ninety-eight.
Yet thank God while hearts are beating Each man bears a burning wound We will follow in their footsteps At the rising of the moon.
