Acoustic Guitar, Vocals and Harmonica: Pete Kavanagh
Additional Instrumentation and Backing vocals: Martin Leahy
Produced by Pete Kavanagh and Martin Leahy
Mastered by Richard Dowling
Copyright Pete Kavanagh Music/IMRO
Photo courtesy of Kildare County Archives and Local Studies
Lyrics
Darkness Before the Dawn
Words and Music: Pete Kavanagh
The raid took place on a warm summer's night
The rebels commandeered the NAAFI
The store was set alight
The fire raged wild and the flames roared down upon
The Doran family in the Darkness Before the Dawn
Bill Doran rushed outside as the stairwell fell apart
Bridget held their daughter Katy close to her heart
She dropped the baby down to Bill and went back for their son John
Screams rang out in the Darkness Before the Dawn
The top floor of the store collapsed, John and Bridget died
Young William was burnt bad
Doctor Roantree saved his life
All in the name of freedom, this reckless deed was done
Out on the Moorefield Road in the Darkness Before the Dawn
Some said the rebels were heroes, but the town was torn apart
This raid upon the NAAFI blackened many a hearts
The Doran family killed and maimed in the war of ‘21
As freedom beckoned in the Darkness Before the Dawn
In Kilbelin Cemetery the final price was paid.
A wife – a mother – a son – a brother, in that grave were laid
We remember the Doran family as time rolls on
Reflect upon our freedom in the Darkness Before the Dawn