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Twas
down by the glen one Easter morn, 
To a city fair rode I, 
When Ireland's lines of marching men 
In squadrons passed me by, 
No pipe did hum and no battle drum 
Did sound its dread 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 Sudel Bar. 
and from the plains of Royal Meath 
Strong men came hurrying through, 
While Britannia's sons with their long ranging guns 
Sailed in from the foggy dew.
  
 
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Twas
England bade our wild geese go 
That small nations might be free; 
Their lonely graves are by Suvla's waves 
On the fringe of the grey North Sea. 
But had they died by Pearse's side 
Or fought with Valera true, 
Their graves we'd keep where the Fenians sleep, 
'Neath the hills of the foggy dew.
The braves fell, and the solemn 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.
  
 
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