Lyr Req: 'The night fell dark round Limerick'

Subject: Lyr Req: The Night Was Dim Around Limerick
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Mar 08 - 01:08 PM

I was looking for the words of this song, I know the lyics are not much help, however I do know that it is the same air as "the night we rode with Sarsfield)

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Thank YOu


Louise Kitt

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Night Was Dim Around Limerick
From: Big Tim
Date: 27 Mar 08 - 06:17 AM

There's a well known song called 'Ballyneety's Walls'. The opening lines are,

'The night fell dark round Limerick and everything was still,
It was for the foe in ambush, we lay beside the hill'

Could that be it?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Night Was Dim Around Limerick
From: GUEST,Louise
Date: 27 Mar 08 - 11:32 AM

Thank you kindly Tim, that was the one

Regards

Louise

Subject: Lyr Add: THE BALLYNEETY RAID
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 27 Mar 08 - 06:26 PM

Found at http://www.iol.ie/~edmo/ballyneety_raid.htm

THE BALLYNEETY RAID

The night fell dark round Limerick and all about was still.
It was for the foe in ambush we lay beside the hill
Like lions bold we waited to dash upon our prey
And we rode with Sarsfield at our head at the dawning of the day.

At the lonely hour of midnight each man leaped on his steed
And out from dark Slieve Felim vale we dashed with lightning speed.
And o'er the hills we thundered, beneath the moons bright sheen
And fell upon the leagured train on Ballyneety Green.

The foeman lay securely and every thing was still
With a merry laugh our General went storming down the hill
Nor checked he for the password as on the guard we ran
For Sarsfield was the password and Sarsfield was the man!

Then fast we cleared the barricades our long swords gleaming bright
And for the dead of Limerick we had revenge that night.
We fired the stores and powder til the very clouds were flame;
And detonations shook the hills as rueful daylight came.

The fearsome guns embounded fair Limericks walls to pound
We left them broken asunder and spiked into the ground
And far away in Limerick was heard the doleful boom
That told our friends and waiting foes the guns had met their doom.

Right well we cheered our General as fast we rode away
And many a cup was raised to him in Limerick town next day
For merry was the chance we cast for Erin loved so well
When we rode with Sarsfield at our head and blew the guns to hell!

Now here's a health to Erin, all blessings on her name.
And here's to General Sarsfield of great and gallant fame.
And here's a health to comrades bold who rode with purpose keen
And blew up Dutch William's artillery on Ballyneety Green.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Night Was Dim Around Limerick
From: Big Tim
Date: 28 Mar 08 - 03:59 AM

The only recording of the song that I have heard is by Na Casaidigh on their CD '1691' (that's 1691, the year of the Ballyneety raid). The album, which is an excellent one, dated 1992, is still available on Amazon UK.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Night Was Dim Around Limerick
From: Thompson
Date: 28 Mar 08 - 04:07 AM

Somewhere in my subconscious the image of the Ballyneety ammunition train that I first had in school still lives:

Ambush: "Right, lads, here she comes now, like."
Ammunition train: "Chugga-chugga, chugga-chugga, chugga-chugga, whoo-whooooo."
Ambush: "Yay-hay, get 'er, lads. SARSFIELD'S THE WORD AND SARSFIELD'S THE MAN!!!"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Night Was Dim Around Limerick
From: Wolfgang
Date: 01 Apr 08 - 07:22 AM

Ballyneety's Walls (in the forum)

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'The night fell dark round Limerick'
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 03 Jul 09 - 04:16 PM

For other versions of this song and related songs, see:

Lyr Add: Ballyneety's Walls
Lyr Req: The Night We Rode with Sarsfield