This is the traditional version of The Foggy Dew, which pre-dates the revolutionary song by at least a century. It was not uncommon for Irish folksingers and songwriters to borrow older tunes for new songs. A version of this ballad was recorded by the great John McCormack in 1913, and can be heard here.
THE FOGGY DEW
As down the hill I went one morn,
A lovely maid I spied.
Her hair was bright as the dew that wets,
Sweet Anner’s verdant side.
“And where go ye, sweet maid?” said I.
She raised her eyes of blue,
And smiled and said, “The boy I wed
I’m to meet in the foggy dew.”
Oh, hide yer blooms ye roses red
And droop ye lilies rare,
For ye must pale from very shame
Beside a rose so fair.
Said I, “Dear maid, will ye be my bride?”
She raised her eyes of blue,
And smiled and said, “The boy I wed
I’m to meet in the foggy dew.”
As down the hill I went one morn,
A-singin I did go,
And met this maid with the coal-black hair,
She answered sweet and low,
“Yes, I will be your own dear bride
And I know that you’ll be true.”
She sighed in my arms, while all her charms
Were hidden in the foggy dew.
Note: Anner is a river in County Tipperary, Ireland.