DESCRIPTION:
A vision of a woman, personifying Ireland, beseeches the singer and the rest of us to rise and take up arms against the English invader.

As I was far away late one evening by a fairy fort
-I am asleep and don't waken me
I saw by my side a beautiful woman
-I am asleep and don't waken me
Her curly, ringletted, cascading tresses fell
Over her trembling limbs near to the ground,
And she launching an arrow piercing me in the side.
-I am asleep and don't waken me

Arise my loyal family and take up your weapons
-I am asleep and don't waken me
And level to the ground every English clown.
-I am asleep and don't waken me
If just three survive, let there be shouts of triumph in all your towns;
From Carrick-on-Suir west to the banks of Dingle
Raise your blades and give the English their own treachery;
-I am asleep and don't waken me

Gaelic:
Tráthnóinín déanach i gcéin cois leasa dom.
Táimse i m’ chodhladh is ná dúisigh mé.
Sea dhearcas lem’ thaobh an spéirbhean mhaisiúil.
Táimse i m’ chodhladh is ná dúisigh mé.
Ba bhachallach péarlach dréimreach barrachas
A carnfholt craobhach ag titim léi ar bhaillechrith
‘S í ag caitheamh na saighead trím thaobh do chealg mé.
Táimse i m’ chodhladh is ná dúisigh mé.

Is éirigí, a chlann, agus gabhaig bhur n-airm chugaibh,
Táimse im’ chodhladh is ná dúistear mé.
Is leagaigí sa tsrúil gach scrúille Sasanaigh,
Táimse im’ chodhladh is ná dúistear mé.
Mura mairfeadh ach triúir bíodh ciú ins gach bail’ agaibh
Ó Charraig na Siúire go ciumhais an Daingin thiar
Ardaigí bhur lain, tugaig fogha faoina Sasanaigh,
Táimse im’ chodhladh is ná dúistear mé.

Written in Munster in the 18th century. Blind harper Arthur O'Neill (1734-1818) from County Tyrone knew the tune as "Past One O'Clock".