The Foggy Dew

Loreena McKennitt's rendition of 'The Foggy Dew' is a hauntingly beautiful tribute to the Irish Easter Rising of 1916. The song captures the somber yet heroic spirit of the rebellion against British rule, which took place in Dublin. The lyrics begin with the narrator riding into the city on Easter morning, witnessing the solemn march of Irish rebels. The absence of traditional battle sounds, replaced by the Angelus Bells, sets a poignant tone, emphasizing the gravity and sanctity of the moment.

The song vividly describes the pride and determination of the Irish fighters, who chose to raise the flag of war in their homeland rather than fight in distant lands like Sulva or Sud el Bar. This decision underscores a deep sense of patriotism and a desire for self-determination. The mention of 'Brittania's huns' with their long-range guns highlights the formidable opposition the Irish faced, yet their bravery and sacrifice are celebrated. The requiem bell tolls for the fallen, marking their deaths as both tragic and noble.

As the narrator returns through the glen, a profound sense of loss and mourning is palpable. The parting with 'valiant men' who will never be seen again speaks to the personal and collective grief experienced by those who survived. The recurring dreams and prayers for the fallen reflect a lingering reverence and the enduring impact of their sacrifice. The final lines, 'For slavery fled the glorious dead when you fell in the foggy dew,' encapsulate the ultimate triumph of the rebels' spirit, suggesting that their deaths were not in vain but paved the way for future freedom.