Before the Battle
(Tune: The Fairy Queen)
| TYPE | 3 - Complex Melody |
| TUNE STRUCTURE | A8 B20 |
| VERSE STRUCTURE | 2v 13l |
| TIME SIGNATURE | 64 |
| KEY SIGNATURE | ♯ |
| TONAL CENTRE | G |
| INCIPIT | GDF♯DGDGF♯GABA |
| GENRE | Ballad |
| TEXT SOURCE | Thomas Moore, A Selection of Irish Melodies vol. 3 (Dublin, 1810) |
| TUNE SOURCE | as above |
| FIRST LINE | By the hope, within us springing |
| NOTATED INCIPIT | |
| The air, composed by Carolan, appears not to have been set to a song text prior to this. The air is found in a number of previous collections, including those of Neal (1724) and Bunting. The images provided here are from an 1852 edition printed in Boston, USA by Oliver Ditson and Co. This publication demonstrates the diasporic interest in Moore's work. | |
Before the BattleBy the hope within us springing,Herald of to-morrow's strife;By that sun, whose light is bringingChains or freedom, death or life--Oh! remember life can beNo charm for him, who lives not free!Like the day-star in the wave,Sinks a hero in his grave,Midst the dew-fall of a nation's tears.Blessed is he o'er whose declineThe smiles of home may soothing shineAnd light him down the steep of years:-But oh, how blest they sink to rest,Who close their eyes on victory's breast!O'er his watch-fire's fading embersNow the foeman's cheek turns white,When his heart that field remembers,Where we tamed his tyrant might.Never let him bind againA chain; like that we broke from then.Hark! the horn of combat calls-Ere the golden evening falls,May we pledge that horn in triumph round!Many a heart that now beats high,In slumber cold at night shall lie,Nor waken even at victory's sound--But oh, how blest that hero's sleep,O'er whom a wondering world shall weep!