The Foggy Dew • Derek Warfield & the Young Wolfe Tones • 2024 New Jersey Irish Festival

Renowned Irish folk / rebel band Derek Warfield & the Young Wolfe Tones cover "The Foggy Dew," written by Fr (later Canon) Charles O’Neill (1887-1963). The lyrics of "The Foggy Dew" laments the Easter Rising of 1916, and encourages Irishmen to fight for the cause of Ireland, rather than for the British Empire, as so many young men were doing in World War I.
Derek Warfield has been responsible for the preservation of the tradition of Irish ballad singing over the past 55 years. The story of Ireland continues with his valued ambassadors that comprise his Young WolfeTones.
Musicians in this performance include Derek Warfield [lead vocals], Andreas Durkin, Eddie Kane, Brent Hopper and Dan Foster.
Recorded live Sunday June 9th in Oceanport, NJ at the 52nd New Jersey Irish Festival at Monmouth Raceway. 2024 RadiantLlamaCinema.
Lyrics:
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 Bells o'er the Liffey swells
Rang out in the foggy dew
Right proudly high in Dublin town
Hung they out a flag of war
'Twas better to die 'neath that Irish sky
Than at Sulva 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
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
And back through the glen, I rode again
And my heart with grief was sore
For I parted then with valiant men
Whom I never shall 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