This song (written by Pete Kavanagh) details the story of the death of the Doran family in a fire at the NAAFI store in Newbrdige, Co. Kildare at the end of the War of Independence (1919 – 1921).
The fire took place on the 7th of July, 1921, just one day before the truce between the Irish Army and...
[Verse 1]
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 dawn
[Verse 2]
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
[Verse 3]
Oh when the top floor caved in, John and Bridget died
William was badly burned, Dr. Roantree 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
[Verse 4]
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
[Verse 5]
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
Darkness Before Dawn was written by Pete Kavanagh.
Darkness Before Dawn was produced by Christy Moore.
Christy Moore released Darkness Before Dawn on Fri Nov 01 2024.