"Darkness Before Dawn" lyrics

"Darkness Before Dawn"
(originally by Pete Kavanagh)

The raid took place on a warm summer's night
The rebels commandeered the NAAFI, the store was set alight
The fire burned wild, flames roared down upon
The Doran family in the darkness, before the dawm

Bill Doran ran outside as the stairwell fell apart
Bridget held her daughter, Katie, close to her heart
She dropped the baby down to Bill and went back in for their son John
Screams rang out in the darkness, before the dawn

Oh when the top floor caved in, John and Bridget died
William was badly burned, Dr. Rountree saved his life
All in the name of freedom, that reckless deed was done
Out on the Moorfield Road in the darkness, before the dawn

Some said the rebels, they were heroes, but the town was torn apart
That raid upon the NAAFI blackened many hearts
The Doran family killed and maimed in the war of 1921
As freedom beckoned in the darkness, before the dawn

In Kilbelan Cemetery the price was paid
A mother, son, a wife and brother in the ground were laid
Remember the Doran family as The Troubles linger on
Reflect upon our freedom in the darkness, before the dawn
Reflect upon freedom in the darkness, before the dawn


album: "A Terrible Beauty" (2024)
Christy Moore - A Terrible Beauty album cover
The Rock
(Instrumental)
The Big Marquee (Expanded Edition)
(Expanded Edition Bonus Track)
Butterfly (AKA So Much Wine)
(Expanded Edition Bonus Track)
Yellow Triangle
(Expanded Edition Bonus Track)
Sweet Thames Flow Softly
(Expanded Edition Bonus Track)
Music To Our Ears
(Expanded Edition Bonus Track)
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