'Twas down the glen one Easter morn To a city fair rode I. When Ireland's line 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 swell Rang out in 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 sons with their long-range guns Sailed in from the foggy dew.
The bravest fell, and the requiem bell Rang mournfully and clear For those who died that Eastertide 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.
And to and fro in my dreams I go And I kneel and pray for you. Oh, those who bled for glorious dead When you fell in the foggy dew. Down the glen, I rode again And my heart with grief was sore For I parted then with those valiant men Whom I never shall see more. And to and fro in my dreams I go And I kneel and pray for you. Oh, those who bled for glorious dead When you fell in the foggy dew.