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 wept,
Sweet as I e’er espied.
“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.
