The Rising of the Moon - The Dubliners "The Rising of the Moon" is an Irish ballad recounting a battle between the United Irishmen and the British Army during the Irish Rebellion of 1798. The ballad's singer is told that the "pikes must be together at the rising of the moon" to engage in rebellion. The pikemen gather, but are defeated. Despite the loss, the listener is told that there are those who will "follow in their footsteps" to again revolt. The ballad has taken the tune of another Irish b