"The Rising of the Moon" is an Irish ballad recounting a battle between the United Irishmen, led by Wolfe Tone, against British forces during the Irish Rebellion of 1798.
The song tells the story of a secret meeting between Irish rebels who gather under the cover of nightfall to plan a rebellion against British rule. The protagonist, a participant in the meeting, urges others to join the cause and fight for Ireland's freedom. The refrain of the song, "For the pikes must be together at the rising of the moon," emphasizes the need for unity and collective action in the struggle for independence.
The tune is believed to have originated in the 1860s during a period of heightened Irish nationalism and resistance to British rule. The song's melody, taken from another Irish ballad "Wearing of the Green", is stirring and evocative, conveying both the solemnity of the cause and the determination of the Irish people to resist oppression. It was most likely intended to provide inspiration for rebels preparing to take to the field in another ill-fated venture, the Fenian rebellion of 1867.
The song remains popular today in Irish schools and sporting events. It has been recorded by a variety of artists including The Dubliners, Shane MacGowan, The High Kings, and even Peter, Paul and Mary.