I am wondering if anyone knows anything about the composer and any history of this song. I know that THE FOGGY DEW was derived from THE MOORLOUGH SHORE and that THE BLACKBIRD and RODNEY'S GLORY are set dances. I assume the cailín was probably a dancer and the events of the song took place after the Easter Rising.

I sang this song at a church supper the other night to good response. Many of the Irish-Americans in my area trace their roots to Galway. I realised that I didn't know very much about the song other than I had secretly enjoyed it in spite of the fact it is usually obliterated by accorians and snare drums and angelic choirs crooning in the background.

I recall a memorable night standing in a chip shop in Riverstown, Co. Sligo hearing a shop full of men singing this song while their wives sat in the cars with their arms crossed and children leaning their heads on the car window frames on a hot summer night...

Brían