When was the rising of the moon written?

Okay, so you’re curious about “The Rising of the Moon,” right? Well, here’s the thing: it’s not just one thing! We’re actually talking about two separate works with the same title: a stirring ballad and a thought-provoking play. Knowing the difference is key!

First, let’s talk about the ballad. This one’s a real heart-tugger, a traditional Irish song with lyrics penned by John Keegan Casey. Think of him as a poet with a cause, deeply involved in the Fenian movement. He wrote these words way back in the mid-1860s—around 1866 to be exact—and they first appeared in his collection, “A Wreath of Shamrocks.” The ballad’s got some serious historical roots, drawing its power from the failed 1798 uprising in County Longford. Casey’s goal? To fire up support for the Fenian rebellion brewing in 1867. Cleverly, he used the same tune as “The Wearing of the Green,” which probably helped it catch on. The song itself paints a vivid picture of a battle during the Irish Rebellion of 1798, with the United Irishmen, led by Wolfe Tone, facing off against British forces. The call to action? A signal that “pikes must be together at the rising of the moon,” a poetic way of saying it’s time to fight!

Now, switch gears to the play. This one’s a one-act drama, the work of Augusta, Lady Gregory. It hit the stage for the first time on March 9, 1907, at the Irish National Theatre. Imagine the scene: a quay in a port town, the setting for a story that digs deep into Anglo-Irish relations. The plot thickens with three policemen on the hunt for an escaped prisoner. Enter a ballad singer, who naturally gets some questions from one of the cops. Here’s the twist: the singer is actually the prisoner they’re after! And, almost unbelievably, he manages to slip away right under their noses. The play really makes you think, doesn’t it? It’s a political piece that throws duty and patriotism into the mix, all against the backdrop of the ongoing Anglo-Irish conflict. It leaves you wondering where your loyalties would lie.