The now classic form of the tune, essentially note for note, was first titled “The Foggy Dew” in C. Milligan Fox’s "Songs of the Irish Harpers (1909), with lyrics by E. H. Milligan.

Of the tune itself, a note tells us: "This beautiful air was taken down from the singing of Mr. M'Garvey, of Dublin.

Presumably that was the well-known Dublin singer Cahal M’Garvey (who appears to have written the lyrics – not the melody – of “The Star of the County Down”).

Presumably Fr. Charles O’Neill, who wrote the “Easter Rising” words in 1919, learned the tune from this readily accessible publication.

But just what words M'Garvey may have sung to the air is not known.

The now classic “rebel” tune is very close to “Poor Old Granua Weal,” No. 790 in the Complete Petrie Collection (1902), p. 197, “From J. McCloskey, Dungiven [Co. Londonderry]."