dinsdag 26 juni 2012

The Rising of the Moon

The Pikes must be together at the Rising of the Moon

"The Rising of the Moon" is een Ierse ballade die vertelt over de strijd tussen de Ieren en het Britse leger tijdens de Ierse opstand van 1798.

"The pikes must be together at the rising of the moon", zoveel is duidelijk dit gaat over de opstand zelf. De piekeniers  verzamelen maar worden verslagen. Ondanks het verlies krijgt de luisteraar te horen dat er steeds mensen zullen zijn "to follow in their footsteps".

De tekst werden geschreven door John Keegan Casey (1846-1870), de "Fenian Poet".

De ballad is al in omloop sinds circa 1865. De vroegst controleerbare datum is een publicatie van 1867.

De ballad verwijst naar het uitbreken van de opstand in 1798, wanneer de Verenigde Ierse rebellen het order voor de opstand verspreiden.

De ballad ontleent de melodie van een andere Ierse ballad, "the wearing of the Green" en werd voor het eerst gepubliceerd in Casey's 1866 collectie van gedichten en liederen "A Wreath of Shamrocks."





 
The Rising of the Moon

"Oh! then tell me, Shawn O'Ferrall, Tell me why you hurry so?"
"Hush ma bouchal, hush and listen", And his cheeks were all a-glow.
"I bear orders from the captain, Get you ready quick and soon,
For the pikes must be together At the risin' of the moon".
At the risin' of the moon, at the risin' of the moon,
For the pikes must be together at the risin' of the moon.

"Oh! then tell me, Shawn O'Ferrall, Where the gatherin' is to be?"
"In the ould spot by the river, Right well known to you and me.
One word more—for signal token Whistle up the marchin' tune,
With your pike upon your shoulder, By the risin' of the moon".
By the risin' of the moon, by the risin' of the moon,
With your pike upon your shoulder, by the risin' of the moon.

Out from many a mudwall cabin Eyes were watching thro' that night,
Many a manly chest was throbbing For the blessed warning light.
Murmurs passed along the valleys Like the banshee's lonely croon,
And a thousand blades were flashing At the risin' of the moon.
At the risin' of the moon, at the risin' of the moon,
And a thousand blades were flashing at the risin' of the moon.

There beside the singing river That dark mass of men was seen,
Far above the shining weapons Hung their own beloved green.
"Death to ev'ry foe and traitor! Forward! strike the marchin' tune,
And hurrah, my boys, for freedom! 'Tis the risin' of the moon".
'Tis the risin' of the moon, 'Tis the risin' of the moon,
And hurrah my boys for freedom! 'Tis the risin' of the moon.

Well they fought for poor old Ireland, And full bitter was their fate
(Oh! what glorious pride and sorrow Fill the name of Ninety-Eight).
Yet, thank God, e'en still are beating Hearts in manhood's burning noon,
Who would follow in their footsteps, At the risin' of the moon!
At the rising of the moon, at the risin' of the moon,
Who would follow in their footsteps, at the risin' of the moon.

 


Hier zijn

The Clancy Brothers, Peter Paul and Mary, en een wonderbaarlijke versie van Ron Kavana.
Maar ook John McCormack die "The Wearing of the Green" zingt in 1905.


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