One of my favourite rebel songs, written in the mid 1860s by John Keegan Casey.
The Rising of the Moon describes the outbreak of the Irish Rebellion of 1798, when the Society of United Irishmen fought for Catholic emancipation and the elimination of British rule in Ireland.
John Keegan Casey was a writer, poet and was himself a central figure in the Fenian Rising of 1867.
I heard this song first from Luke Kelly recordings, there are additional verses that can be found in different versions, Lyrics below;

"And come tell me Sean O'Farrell, tell me why you hurry so"
"Hush, mbuachaill hush and listen," and his cheeks were all aglow
"I bear orders from the captain, get you ready quick and soon
For the pikes must be together by the rising of the moon"

By the rising of the moon, by the rising of the moon
For the pikes must be together by the rising of the moon

"And come tell me Sean O'Farrell, where the gath'rin is to be"
"At the old spot by the river quite well known to you and me"
"One more word for signal token: whistle out the marchin' tune
With your pike upon your shoulder by the rising of the moon"

By the rising of the moon, by the rising of the moon
With your pike upon your shoulder by the rising of the moon

Out from many a mud wall cabin eyes were watching through the night
Many a manly heart was beating for the blessed warning light
Murmurs rang along the valleys to the banshee's lonely croon
And a thousand pikes were flashing by the rising of the moon

By the rising of the moon, by the rising of the moon
And a thousand pikes were flashing by the rising of the moon

All along that singing river that black mass of men was seen
High above their shining weapons flew their own beloved green
Death to every foe and traitor! Whistle out the marching tune
And hurrah, me boys, for freedom, 'tis the rising of the moon

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